“I was slumbering!... you’re a really stupid boy. It means... being in a state of deep and comfortable sleep, do you get it now? but you... you little bugger!... kept buggering, me!... in my sleep... now, why did you do that?” The talking-raccoon kept talking and poking Lin’s nose... meanwhile the flying-spittle which came-out from its mouth kept hitting the the boy’s face. Finally great-sage Lin felt like this awkward situation is getting out of hand and that he has to say something to ease this unendurably tense-air, “How did I do that? and when and... where exact-” But Lin found the talking-raccoon rolling its eyes at him and frowning which practically forced the boy to halt his words then close his mouth and nod apologetically to this creature which just proved itself after revealing its frightening-charisma. “Ugh!... you’re so stupid to the degree that it’s already driving me insane, boy... for the last time, I’m going to make it simple for you to understand,” The talking-raccoon seemed to like the polite-attitude from great-sage Lin and patted his cheek while speaking and Lin nodded and gave it his full-attention, “With your... soul-force.” After intentionally stretching its words to tease the boy... that talking-raccoon revealed the answer which the great-sage eagerly wanted to know before smirking like the devil-incarnate! before Lin got to say anything or ask any further questions... that one meter raccoon raised a finger and gave the boy a hard-glare which caused the great-sage to shut his mouth and patiently wait for it to continue speaking. “The last person to do so like you... was punished by me,” The talking-raccoon crossed its hands and looked directly at Lin, “Almost two-tenths of his primordial-soul was imprisoned by me for... oh!... it has already been almost a couple of thousand years since it happened back then huh. Unfortunately for some stupid boys... it seems like after all these years which I slumbered, people still don’t learn from the mistakes of others, looks like these days are no different from good old days. Heh.” While smirking derisively. The talking-raccoon gave the boy a few pieces of information which he translated from these words... but what the great-sage figured made him freeze in shock and gawk because he just configured a very far-fetched and almost impossible assumption! if Lin’s assumption is really true... then this frighteningly-charismatic raccoon which can talk and give a very formidable sense of strength to the boy and his tamed-beast which instantly dropped to the ground and groveled once Sun felt the aura of this angry-creature... does most-certainly have some sort of great identity. “Seems like you've finally figured-out who I am... looks like you’re not so very stupid but just very stupid after all,” The talking-raccoon lazily placed its arms behind its head and looked at the sky above after seeing the expressions on the face of great-sage Lin and spoke calmly... meanwhile Lin nodded and waited for this raccoon to continue, “I'm... Kai. The ring of origin... uh!... I almost forgot how stupid you’re, the one which you wear on the ring-finger of your right-hand, and the one which you have a crappy and stupidly-weak connection with... yes my dear idiotic-boy, that’s the one!... it’s my own body.” Kai confirmed the identity which Lin just assumed after the raccoon spoke these words... the boy remembered how old Jin once mentioned how long it took him before some part of his soul was captured by this simple ring which great-sage Lin is currently wearing on his finger! this mysterious ring which seemed to contain a great-secret which eluded Jin Bao for years because he couldn't unravel... now Lin has this chance to know the background of this ring of origin and how come this Kai which is clearly a creature of flesh and blood and the first talking-raccoon the boy got to meet in two lifetimes is saying that his body is some gold-ring? but the great-sage didn’t allow his excited and delighted sense of passion for mysteries overcome him. Because right now... Jin Bao's safety and well-being could be endangered by the whims of fate... and one angry raccoon! if he’s still alive... that is. “Don’t keep looking at it you stupid boy! I'm an awakened-soul of a spirit-tool which surpassed the spirit-rank and attained the inheritance-rank, honestly... what have they been teaching you since you're born boy?” Kia began walking circles around Lin while speaking and the boy felt like he’s in some boot-camp of the military and this raccoon is playing the role of an instructor. “I really don’t know much about this spirit-world because I only met four cultivators in my six years of life and two of them were enemies to Mia... my only reliable source of information was old Jin but he usually didn’t talk much and Mia talked too much but said very few of the interesting th-” great-sage Lin answered like a machine-gun but suddenly Kai stepped in front of him and shouted : “Silence!... you stupid boy. Tsk,” the raccoon scratched its furry-belly seemingly feeling bored already then looked at the boy, “That Jin fellow is that beggar which I imprisoned his soul back then huh!... Are you plotting to control me to free that beggar? no, you’re too stupid and too young and green for such schemes. Heh... the way I see it, you're at least just a few million years too early to take me on, give or take a couple hundred thousand years... is all.” Lin didn't get affected by the words which were dripping with sarcasm and coming on hot on his face from Kai's mouth which smelled like someone who doesn’t brush his teeth... or in this talking-raccoon’s case fangs! the boy doesn’t really care about how much he’s actually being looked-down at by this condescending-raccoon right now and said : “I agree... the matter of the ring isn't like that K-” But again once he spoke great-sage Lin found Kai glaring at him and shouting : “Senior Kai to you... boy!” Lin was taken aback by the reason of interruption this time and really wanted to smile because for the first time from this talking-raccoon he saw a faint glimpse of the cute-side to its real-character! but since he’s being afraid of getting himself misunderstood or causing any unnecessary-trouble if he did... the boy just nodded and corrected himself. “My sincerest apologies senior Kai... ever since I found your bo-... ring! your existence was nonexistent for me, and I’m guessing that has always been the same for old Jin as well,” great-sage Lin saw Kai nod and that encouraged him to continue speaking, “For me this ring has always been a complete mystery... I admit that it has always been an enticing-mystery, yes... but my only goal when I sent my soul-force inside it was to check on old Jin, after he... s-sacrificed his primordial-force to help and save me, I’m afraid that something must’ve happened to old Jin because he never answered.” Lin did stammer slightly when he spoke but he really needed to ask the question which troubled his mind ever since Mia underwent her breakthrough and caused such a trouble, “Senior Kai... please tell me if old Jin Bao is alright? have pity on the man, he’s... suffering after going through an unfortunate-accident, I want to help him, we already agreed that I would gather some medicinal-ingredients which are useful for soul-treatment. I have to collect them so that old Jin would be able to remake his physical-body and heal the aggravating-wounds of his weakened-soul, he... he, lived a terribly miserable-life, his only sister got raped and he had to swallow the bitter-pill of grief because he was weak and found his hands tied against the strong offender, he was forced to watch his family break into pieces while he watches helplessly from the side, sister and mother committing suicide and a similarly-helpless father who slowly intoxicated himself with alcohol yet he endured the looks of blame in silence then spent years growing stronger to avenge his parents and only sibling, then he got betrayed by the best and only friend of his lif-” The boy found Kai glaring at him again and the raccoon seemed annoyed that he talked so much... he instantly closed his mouth. “Such a stupid boy... you talk too much,” Kai played with his ears and great-sage Lin lowered his head and apologized : “Sorry.” The talking-raccoon just rolled its eyes and snorted before speaking : “Humph... you've already implicated yourself with me which is enough trouble for a whole continent, you stupid and ignorant boy... even while death is staring you directly in the face, here you're being worried about someone else! yes... you’re stupid, that’s true. But you don't strike me like one of these brainless-morons, you know... the ones who live life to the full and are always fearless until they reach the end of the road with a bang! or so they like to think, tsk,” While holding its hands behind its back and resuming its circular walk around the boy... the talking-raccoon continued to speak, “Look and see for yourself then... that small dot which is floating in the middle of this time-lock soul-formation is the friend you seek to help. Personally... I give the man’s soul ten years at best, if that Jin is lucky to hold-on to dear-life with the assistance of... my formation. All it takes is a single thought of mine... then whatever that remained of this man’s primordial-source will be forced to leave the safety of... my soul-formation, I give it like... one second give or take a few splits to scatter completely... and forever.” Kai snapped his fingers and a screen appeared floating in front of great-sage Lin... it’s the image of a small-room of the black and white colors which has six similar silver-circles on the ceiling, floor, and the four walls. There’s a small and faint dot of the grey-color which is very hard to noticed if it didn’t move randomly, peacefully, and aimlessly within the area which resembles a silver-globe and is connecting all the complicated silver-circles and has silver-runes chaotically moving on the surface of the silver-globe.

“Senior Kai... please!... have mercy on old Jin... I’m the one who disturbed you, I should be the one to receive your wrath, I admit that I was wrong, I admit that I wronged you. Punish me however you like senior Kai... but I beg of you, do not sever hope on old Jin’s unfortunate soul, if it’s riches and wealth that you want in return then I’m willing to compensate and pay, right now I'm poor and can be seen as useless, but I won't hesitate to break my back working hard to collect the sum if you spare old Jin and stay your hand. I know that you can kill all of us right now—and very effortlessly at that—to vent-out your frustration—it’s understandable and your action is completely-justified by the way—because old Jin intruded before and I did again, but let’s think it for a moment before taking any action. Getting rid of me and old Jin wouldn’t really change the fact that... you're already awake from your slumber right!...” Lin instantly knew that Jin Bao still has hope and was feeling really happy inside when he got to see the image then panicked when he heard Kai clearly throwing a tantrum and threatening to scatter the last bits of the poor man’s primordial-source! which is already exhausted of soul-force beyond possibility from how grey and faint its color is... obviously if it isn't for this strange and complicated soul-formation then Jin Bao would've been long dead even before the boy got to breakthrough and reach the clone-realm. Great-sage Lin is feeling sure that whatever this talking-raccon which calls itself Kai just said is the naked truth... that’s why Lin didn’t hesitate for a second before dropping to kneel on both knees before he implored Kai for Jin Bao's sake. Again Kai seemed to frown and click his tongue when this boy started to talk too much while kneeling and begging for mercy for another beggar which it threw in prison years back! while tapping the ground with its foot the talking-raccoon said : “Tsk... stupid boy! you’re still talking too much, if you have a point then get to it quick before my patience runs-out.” Then Kai snorted and huffed before resuming his circular-walk around the great-sage who remained kneeling. “Right! I’m stupid and sentimental, but I’m loyal to my friends and gaining a smart and manipulative assistant isn’t a good choice if said person is a stranger. I’m willing to swear any oath and prove myself with actions that I’ll be forever helpful and grateful for your mercy, please, please, please... don't hurt old Jin. I promise to be always your eternal-ally.” Lin looked eagerly with expectations towards Kai and waited for the raccoon to answer. “Humph... why should I allow such an alliance? I had enough of trusting humans, because every time I did, it always ended when one of your kind tried to control or force me to be under their service. It always began like this... them on their knees begging me to help them rise higher in their cultivation! your kind hopes to conquer the world or vanquish a foe, maybe steal a woman or a man which they love to death... then someday later—or sooner than I expected—I wake-up to find that they used their same hands to strangle or cut the same person which they loved to death before. Every and each single time I trust... I was met with just bigger disappointment, you seem to have a very wonderful set of potential within your body, but I'm sure you'll end-up becoming the same someday—because like I said before you’re very stupid—right now you're just an ignorant and naive little-pup who’s yet to open its eyes and see the deep schemes of this world.” Kai sneered and crossed his arms while lecturing the kneeling boy who sighed inwardly because at least the talking-raccoon didn't force the remainder of Jin Bao's primordial-source outside that silver-globe which is caused by the six silver soul-formations. But great-sage Lin felt the sadness and loneliness which were hidden deeply behind these sarcastic-words from Kai and replied : “Then don't trust me! senior Kai... I have this strong feeling deep in my gut, a feeling which tells me that you're not only strong but also strong enough to do almost everything in this world if you feel like it, just keep me at bay and don't allow yourself to lower your guard against me or trust me... unless you're willing to take that gamble. All I'm asking in exchange for my service and loyalty which would extend until my death is... for you to allow me the chance to save a friend, he’s someone who stood in front of me and shielded me from harm without having to because he didn’t owe me anything! in fact it’s me who owes old Jin since he introduced me to the world of cultivation... without his instructions then I would’ve been reclining on some couch back home and scratching my head and feeling bored with my days, without his instructions then I wouldn’t have been a soul-clone or even with an awakened martial-spirit at all. I told you before that old Jin was betrayed by his only and best friend, and before that he lost his family after having to stand to the side and watch them get hurt while blaming his own weakness... I’m not making excuses for the man because... these memories which he once experienced, and these feelings which he once felt, are now part of my soul itself and I can’t deny my sympathy for someone which all he had left after living such a life was a tiny and weak part of his soul which he fortunately managed to preserve after senior Kai imprisoned him here. Now he has every right to be selfish and watch me get hurt or die since he only have this few amount of primordial-force within that weak soul which is still alive thankfully to senior Kai’s soul-formation!... even I—if I’m speaking for myself—would've never, like... ever! dared to blame old Jin if he did choose not to extend a straw for me if I was slowly drowning. But... he choose to go that far for me despite his precarious-situation in the end, that’s why I choose to go that far to save him,” The boy looked straight in the black eyes of the raccoon, “Senior Kai... I'm begging you here, please allow me the chance to help my friend. I'm willing to pay any price to give the man another chance in life... just promise me to allow Jin Bao to stay within that time-lock soul-formation until I gather the medicinal-ingredients, afterwards I promise that he nor I would dare disturb you again or allow any other to do so as long as I’m alive and breathing.” Great-sage Lin struck his forehead against the floor and pleaded for a chance to save Jin Bao and waited for Kai to give an answer. But this one meter tall raccoon didn’t say anything and flipped its furry hand and from his low posture... Lin heard a sound of things crashing to the ground around him and when he raised his head from the ground the boy saw everything which he had inside his space-ring is scattered around the two of them. “Is that... the price which you meant? this... trash! you stupid boy, were you trying to scam me earlier?” Kai pointed at the gold-bars then towards the open boxes which used to contain spirit-coin of many colors! with a gesture of one of its fingers the talking-raccoon caused spirit-crystals to float around them... and the show of dancing crystals was soon followed by the various medicinal-ingredients, alchemy books, spirit-jades, tools, even the humongous body of the fire-eating dark-lizard, weapons, armors, clothes, fish-meat, big globes of clear water, the vulture-king’s demonic-core, the four blue-cores, Lin’s penis! and the advanced space-talisman while he spoke in that sarcastic yet threatening tune of voice. “It’s not!... what I meant. Senior Kai... right now I admit that I'm weak, poor, ignorant, and young. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t work hard on gathering the medicinal-ingredients which old Jin requires while finding or accumulating the wealth which you request in the same time. Senior Kai. If you agree... then I propose that you allow me to give the priority to old Jin’s matters first, that way you can get him out of your... domain. Afterwards it will be me fully devoted and focused on following your wishes.” Great-sage Lin shook his head to deny the raccoon’s accusations and said his intentions without worry or regret even if his life is going to be hell under the service of that grumpy-raccoon. Meanwhile Lin was internally wondering how could this Kai open the space-ring and retrieve items from within it without the boy even noticing anything whatsoever! Mia said before that this just isn’t possible without the great-sage feeling intrusion... even if he couldn't stop it from happening. Then he gets to notice it and feel it when it happens... at least. “Now you're setting terms with me... stupid boy! do I need to prove it to you that I can make a pet out of you? if... I see fit,” Kai wiggled his eyebrows while an amused expression filled his wide and completely black eyes which seem like two pieces of obsidian, “But... you're right on one thing, I really gain nothing by getting rid-of you two... oh! almost forgot the red one outside, three then. I may get something from you in the future, and remember... Lin son of Tai the mighty and Tian the beauty, always remember that you awe me Kai... a favor which I shall collect its due whenever and however... I want.” Then Kai resumed to speak in his slow and lazy tune of voice. Hearing him... Lin finally got to release a stifled sigh of relief inwardly! because ever since he met this talking-raccoon and the feeling of being one word away from certain death never left the boy’s chest until Kai said that final line... which felt like an almighty-entity just finished giving amnesty to a sinner. Great-sage Lin is the sinner in that analogy. “Thank you senior Kai... thank you. I’ll never forget this gracious-generosity.” Lin politely said then stood-up on his feet again and kept his mouth shut about his stuff which already resemble a cyclone around the two of them! the boy was waiting for this raccoon to say anything since maybe it has any requests or instructions... otherwise Kai just have to dismiss the great-sage since he’s the one who summoned him here. Lin doesn't know how to get back to Sun after all... and the air inside this strange forest is suppressing the boy’s soul-force and keeping it restricted within the skin of his body. Since the great-sage can’t use his ability of soul-sense then it means that he doesn’t dare use his martial-spirit as well... even if Lin dared activate his pair of wings to just leave on his own without getting dismissed by this raccoon first! the boy would never gamble since that Kai might get offended by the action... or something. “Hmmm... where did you get that book? immunity-physique huh! a really interesting approach but it’s incomplete.” Kai beckoned with his hand and the leather-book which has half of its pages torn flew into his hand... the raccoon flipped one of the pages curiously and asked great-sage Lin about the origin of the book. “Except for some kitchenware and clothes plus a few demonic-cores which me and my tiger found in our journey... everything else was already inside the space-ring when Mia gave it to Sun, the one who owned that space-ring before me was a member of the assassins-guild and an alchemist, he was a spirit-cultivator which had the natural-affinity for the earth-element and was a poison-expert, his realm of cultiva-” Lin was interrupted by the raccoon which said : “I see. You go back then, I have no further need for you here.” Then it became hooked to the words of that leather-book and calmly dismissed the boy with small gesture of its long and thin fingers which made this situation feel like nothing happened just a few minutes ago! as if Kai didn't seriously threaten the lives of Jin Bao, Sun, and the great-sage just earlier... and didn’t force the boy into his knees begging just earlier... or how the raccoon tied Lin with a favor which he doesn’t even know its true weight. While smiling ruefully... the boy felt like a secretary of Kai or one of his underlings after getting shooed-off from this foreign forest! this scene is only missing an office around the raccoon to complete the perfect image. 'Maybe I’m just looking at the situation from the wrong angle! maybe in the eyes of any raccoon... any forest can be their office.' Great-sage Lin held himself back from laughing after having that thought. Especially when he saw how focused Kai was in his joyful read... but Lin really has no idea just how to leave this forest! since he wouldn’t be flying because of the current restrictions on his soul-sense and would be leaving on foot... then he has to ask for directions... at least. “Ehmm... senior Kai, which way should I go to leave this place?” By asking in a low tune of voice after a sudden fake cough... the boy tried to be quick about it since he himself never actually liked the feeling when others interrupted him if he's reading something interesting. “Right!...” Kai never raised his eyes up from the leather-book in his hands when he answered... meanwhile great-sage Lin who was about to walk towards his right-hand side and leave the forest after receiving the directions which he requested... suddenly felt his whole world spinning around him then Lin was back in front of Sun back in the second island of their journey outside the land of forgetfulness. The red-tiger kept circling around the boy and seemed to be looking for the place which he just disappeared for a few seconds.

“Phew!... senior Kai is really amazing, but just how strong is he? comparable to a spirit-sovereign in the high-stages... maybe! and what kind of tool is that ring of origin? what’s its grade within the inheritance-rank? it matters not right now since old Jin lives, since it means that I don't have to go against my nature to avenge the man. Then I gained from this experience by reaching the next realm in soul-cultivation.” Lin looked at the plain and simple gold-ring on his finger while muttering then the boy turned-on his positive-thinking like always and great-sage Lin enjoyed patting his own back for the current accomplishments! which are attaining the clone-realm and confirming that old Jin is still alive. But Lin was unaware that had Jin Bao been awake right now... then the expert soul-cultivator would've been dizzied by such a greatly unexpected and unforeseen feat which the boy accomplished. A six years old and already in the realm of soul-clone successfully! 'What’s happening to the world? is the dao of soul-cultivation defected in this era somehow?' Surely Jin Bao would've thought something these lines or of this sort while seeking to advance his own cultivation from the realm of soul-clone to the realm of soul-projection! because if old Jin attained that realm then he wouldn’t be needing a physical-body before leaving the soul-formation which trapped this part of his soul... soul-materialization means that a soul-cultivator’s soul-force doesn’t just dissipate and dissolve back into the world’s laws after leaving the fleshly-vessel. Most cultivators wouldn’t be able to differentiate a materialized soul-body from a body which is made from flesh and blood unless they engaged the soul-cultivator in combat.

“Greetings Lin... like always, you're pumping-up your self-confidence by thinking that everything is... just going to be, all right somehow in the end! what an admirably... naïve-attitude typically expected from our number-one, and favorite... great-sage. Say... did you miss me?”

“No!... no, no, no, no, this can't be happening. No, Lily already left my system after we were born, you're not real, you're not possible,” Lin jumped in fear like a cat which got its tail stepped-on by an electrocuted-shoes, “I lost my bipolar-consciousness, I lost that shit, I'm done with that messed-up rollercoaster-” But when that sound interrupted his thoughts and he heard this question with this familiar choice of words... the boy instantly felt despair. “Then how do you explain my existence? I’m right here... don’t tell me that after all these impossible facts which you experienced, and personally attained... you don’t believe in me who stands right in front of you. If you can’t feel me inside your own soul-world, then maybe you should go back home.” Inside his soul-world the great-sage saw other half of his soul-body moving on its own—hobbling around on one leg actually! —and speaking with the other soul-clone which had his awareness inside it... this situation is like that clone isn’t part of his soul anymore! but a different "thing" which has its independent thoughts and opinions... yet in the same time it’s still part of him.

“Oh no!... you... don't touch m-” When that bedeviled-entity which occupied his other soul-clone moved closer towards him and extended its only hand to touch the forehead of the soul-clone which he’s occupying with his awareness to check its temperature for any symptoms of Lin’s clone being in fever... the boy kept leaning his head backwards hoping that by doing so he would wake-up from that dream. “Fuck me!... you're real, shit.” It was a sarcastic and simple action... but it delivered great-sage Lin the harsh reality on a cold platter! this soul-clone of his got hijacked by this new "bipolar-consciousness" which shouldn't exist in the first place. “Is that... "denial" from the five stages of grief? it’s all-over your face! don’t you want to hide it? oh... great and mighty sage.” Finally the other soul-clone spoke again and the cynical questions and the exaggerated tune of speech made Lin feel like being on the verge of crying his heart out. He was very happy one second ago... then here he’s right now! the boy is frowning like a person who’s suffering from a severe case of constipation... great-sage Lin wanted to punch and strangle something while screaming towards the sky over and over. Within Lin’s head there’s a single thought right now... and that thought is composed of a single word which is : 'Unfair!' Because after a vacation from that despicable and annoying "thing" which extended for six sweet and short years... now it's back once again.

“What?... spit it out already! what the fuck do you want from me?” The boy raised the other half of his soul-body by the neck with his only arm and snapped at the other clone! the great-sage is already in a very bad mood and vented his frustrations on this unwelcomed-guest within the soul-world in a way which is as civilized as possible... but the answer Lin received to his question from the soul-clone was half a smile and a simple shrug from its only shoulder before it spoke and said : “Nothing actually... just thought I should introduce myself! hi. It really is... an honor meeting you in person.”

“Humph... I don't know if I should say that I'm flattered right now, because I’m definitely not... feeling such. Now answer me... why are you still here Lily? and how could it even be possible for you to keep some part of yourself within me after you separated yourself back then.” Lin squinted after hearing these words then let go of this annoying thing. After his five fingers released its neck... the boy sneered his reply at this entity which he’s certain that it’s the remaining pieces of his twin-sister! but the great-sage was feeling puzzled because he found that his soul-force within the soul-body in front of him still belongs to himself and he can still manipulate it normally... however the vessel itself seemingly has been taken by that "thing" which is... strange. Indeed!... it’s very strange. Because why would it be so? back then when he met Lily for the first time... the encounter happened within the world of light and not within the soul-world which is why Lin couldn’t relate this encounter to anything from what he learned or experienced within this life.

“Heh... like always, you don't miss a chance to know more, well... since it isn't a secret anymore after my appearance. You know... with Lily already being free and all, she’s playing outside and having her fair-share of fun, while we... had to hang-out with you for a bit longer-” The thing began to calmly speak but the boy suddenly shuddered and cut its words off with a shout while glaring like a lunatic : “We!... bloody hell, how many more of you is there exactly?” Great-sage Lin pointed a finger at his other soul-clone and spouted these words through his teeth anxiously! Lin just thought earlier of getting rid of this thing... somehow. But now there's more... apparently.

“All in all?” The thing smirked when it saw the nervous-look in the eye of the boy and asked while feeling really amused, “Yeah... from top to bottom and all the way back, don’t you dare miss a single count, double-check before you answer because I’m not in the mood for silly games,” Lin nodded and gave his answer while preparing himself mentally, “Easy... lucky seven, but that’s including Lily of course, however I don’t know if I should call her by her original name? I don't know if she'll be okay with me or anyone else besides herself saying it to you... especially to you. That little-sister of mine really... tends to carry a grudge for the tiniest of detail, you already know how she can be stubborn and hard to deal with,” the thing answered and Lin found himself nodding knowingly by reflex when it spoke about Lily... somehow the boy felt sorry for that thing! maybe if this encounter was somewhere else other than his soul-world and most private space... then the great-sage would’ve gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Yeah... no need to tell me anymore about it, because I think that nobody tasted that side of her more than me, just say her name already. I seem to have some sort of attraction when it comes to Lily... she always pours her sour-side and frustrations on me, no matter how innocent I am and no matter how tiny or small the reason of her frustrations is! sigh.” Lin still asked for Lily's so-called original name from that thing while burying some weird memories.

“She’s "envy" while I'm "pride" your... pride, it’s a pleasure, and always will be.” Pride revealed Lily's name then theatrically bowed while introducing himself to the boy.

“You're kidding... right?” Great-sage Lin almost jumped at his other half to strangled his clone with the single hand which he got! but in the end Lin forced himself to stay calm and asked pride.

“We’re seven in number and two identities are already revealed... you know all about us from the researches of the bipolar theories, they’re not entirely true but already has some truths within them, combine that information with the legends of the seven myths and it would give you a much clearer picture about me and my siblings.” Pride calmly spoke and his words made the boy shiver once he thought about the possibility.

“Really... do you taking me for a fool? you’re telling me... that I have five more of the "seven deadly sins" within me still! from the moment I was reborn... until this day, the six of you just stayed within my body, while only Lily got to leave and snatch the body of my twin-sister, why only her? why didn’t you all stay within her instead of me? do you understand that your words mean that I took the seven of you with me to the next life?” Great-sage Lin asked pride to convince him if he could.

“First... you’re not a fool, and yes the five of them are still inside you, they’re waiting for their chance to live and gain independence like envy and me. I can answer your questions one by one if you like, but if I explain our existence then it will answer them all in the same time,” Pride said and Lin nodded to let him continue, “Humans huh... they all have us, every single one of them, sometimes you can see it clearly from their characters and behavior! however they’re either unaware of our existence, in that case they either get enslaved by us gradually with time after feeding us with the wrong type of emotions until we’re stronger than their conscience... or they feed us no emotions at all and we wilt and die with time after they become vessels of flesh without us or conscience for that matter. The other case is those who are already aware of our existence but don’t know how to deal with us! some ignores us, some lets us feed on ourselves or one another, some suppress us with devotion to religion or some just-cause, some admits us and embrace the feelings while delving in the sin itself, some starves us while a wasting lifetime’s worth of effort to make the world around them better... while being completely unaware that their effort itself is somehow one of the reasons which makes us... evolve. But the last example isn’t the right method to handle us! that’s where you come to the picture... within you, me and my younger-siblings were admitted one by one, accepted as a crucial part of your existence, without even you knowing about what were you doing completely naturally. That’s the beauty of it... we were respected in such a healthy way where fine balance was kept in a constantly optimum-state, our powers not only grew stronger whenever you recycled our unhealthy urges into reasonable explanations which came to benefit us in the end but also we kept evolving and after each evolution the seven of us gained a certain immunity against our primal cravings for domination over the minds and characters of our host which is you in that unique and rare example, then we found our nature change and we no longer needed to influence your character at all, but we did it anyway... for fun that is. Speaking for myself... I found that nothing could get under my skin anymore, be that action, phrase, or expression, I no longer needed to prove myself superior or better than anyone, that high and mighty persona lost its meaning completely. Envy didn't continue being such a gloomy and brittle-character which doesn’t feel satisfaction with what it already has on its plate and tend to check what others got on theirs and birth darkness within her chest which makes her lonely and sad all the time and started to interact more with the rest of us and became cheerful and fun. Lust... let’s say that she made the fires of her ever-horny "passion" for "action" cool-down a lot and she turned into a unique character which is a lot naughty and she’s constantly teasing us all just for laughs all the time! that one misses Lily quite a lot and wishes to finally meet you in person. Wrath stopped grunting or shouting at us or wanting to fight for no reason and turned calm, understanding, and peaceful... these days you wouldn’t find a monk who’s calmer than the big-guy, he’s like a statue most of the times in a daze and you can provoke him for days without stop and he wouldn’t stop smiling or laughing! honestly... among the seven of us he’s the one who changed the most, which makes it scary if you thought about it, because most of us become stronger once we revert back into our true-persona, just thinking about what it would be like if his switch flipped gives me the creeps really. Gluttony lost weight and appetite... his days of fasting are filled with smiles and his passion is to cook, his happiest moment in any day is when he brings us together around a table of delicious food! honestly... he’s the best cook I ever seen but. Sloth is just so hyperactive... he bugs us all the time to join him in any activity whatever silly or nonsensical that action is... sloth would be in, or the true reason behind it, the kid found his competitive-side in training with gluttony and they’re so buddy-buddy. Greed shares his most precious items with us... unlike before when we were young where he kept his belongings only to himself, do you believe that before he never shared his opinions with us and kept his silence whenever we talked! we were worried for a long time about him but now he's complaining that he can only share with the six of us, and just before I left he was sad because the numbers dwindled into four companions.” Pride said and Lin was imagining these seven walking side by side on the surface of this spirit-world... the mere thought caused a cold-shudder of unease to run on his spine! but thankfully from these words the boy felt some hope for these sins.

“That really answered some of my questions... but not all of them. Why was Lily the first one to be born? why not any you? you for example. Why didn’t you all stay within Lily? how did I bring you all with me from the previous-life? was I reborn because the seven of you?” Great-sage Lin asked with a clear intention of knowing more about these seven sins.

“The body of your twin was of a female and I prefer being born male instead... that’s why I didn't join my siblings when they decided the order by drawing lots, Lily was just the lucky one to win there’s no reason behind her being the one to become your twin-sister really, when this second-opportunity represented itself for one of the six of us to be born within this clone... cough... my kind young-siblings gave me this chance willingly, they said : since I refrained from participating in the first event then they all owe me, that’s why I’m the one here talking with you... but to be completely honest with you, lust would’ve never participated in this even anyway, my chances would’ve been one in a five... she’s targeting you and says : don’t you dare give your first to Lily or Mia or anyone else, otherwise she’s going to give you lots of trouble... just remember what happened when you played with Mia, that was her doing and she went easy on you. Now that I answered a couple questions and delivered the message from my little-sister... let me tell you why didn’t we stay within Lily, simply because we can’t, remember what I said about people forcing us to feed on one another? imagine that within Lily is an abyss of darkness which can swallow... everything, us included. You brought us with you because we’re all part of your soul, without us your soul would be incomplete... lacking in conscience, instinct, emotion, and thoughts! like an empty and hollow shell... in a way we were the reason you could preserve your memories from the previous life in the first place, you might attribute your rebirth to the seven of us in a way because we all were awake before you, but within that world of light we all couldn’t see anything at all, we just felt some sort of calling and we followed the direction without even knowing how long or how far it took us, before your awakening we stopped hearing it completely and it made us worry a lot, then right before your awakening we felt the heartbeats of our mother then later the two different beats of two smaller hearts and we all rejoiced because it meant we could finally join you in life, one of us could assist you and share your burdens... an equal both in beliefs and intelligence, someone who can understand you and help you enjoy life because you deserve it after suffering such end.” Pride told Lin why and how. The boy could feel how his soul-clone was proud after mentioning how its siblings are very understanding and in sync! especially when pride spoke about him... great-sage Lin felt ashamed of himself because he treated this sin of pride like a jerk ever since it appeared inside the soul-world. He ignored the naughty message from lust but Lin remembered what happened with Mia and the feeling of having something within his chest that wanted to attack the saintess.

“I will not be calling you pride, from now onwards your name is Ming Tai, brother of Lin, Lily, Lao, Rose, and Qin. Son of Tai the mighty and Tian the beauty and when the others are birthed I’ll give them names too just like Lily and you, now... I believe you already know that we have a lot of work to do, so let's begin by cultivating our light-energy.” The boy didn't question Ming anymore because just like how he felt previously from Lily... this new addition to the family seems to have the interests of great-sage Lin as his number-one priority! Lin deeply felt like he can control Ming... just like how he could control Lily before. The boy knows that only the method used to achieve this result would be a little bit different... thankfully this deadly-sin of pride is still contained within the soul-world which makes it a lot easier to do so.

“Lin... you really need to rest after suffering that soul-suffering for two-rounds then that unexpected encounter with Kai, let me handle the rest from here. Don’t worry about a thing because I know how to cultivate your spirit-energy and how to meditate to gather the required soul-force to heal your soul-” Ming offered to help but was soon interrupted by Lin who raised his open hand in the face of Ming, “Our martial-spirit, our soul-bodies, our physical-body, as long as you’re in here... then beside your independent-personality, unique-character, thoughts, opinions, and personal-mind! everything else is shared completely... here in my vessel you're "me" like... the same. So from now on until you're driving your own meat-suit and have your own martial-spirit like Lily you can’t say the word "your" again... of course you can start saying yours or mine after getting that body all you like, now get to work... brother. I’ll be taking the second shift then.” Lin removed himself from the soul-world after reminding Ming of that specific point... meanwhile Ming smiled broadly and fist-pumped thin-air once Lin left. “He's just like how I expected... no! he’s even better than I thought he would be... this broad-minded-ness and ability to remain positive no-matter the circumstances. With Kai he was able to remain calm while being faced with the threat... with me he remained calculative while being under the pressure of suffering Lily’s pranks again. The capacity which he has for tolerating to the burdens which are weighing each and every one of his steps! plus his warmth which you could do nothing but get attracted towards it like a hypnotized person and just melt, melt under the gaze of his eye. No wonder... no wonder Lily would turn so meek and tame whenever he's holding her between his arms, that person is really our greatest weakness. Lust... I’m afraid that all your fires would be extinguished if he held you, you might regret coming closer to him... my light fades next to him just like how the moon would fade if compared to the sun.” Ming muttered faintly while using both soul-bodies to start meditating on the soul-strengthening technique... right now the sin of pride was very satisfied with how its first meeting with its role-model.

Lin opened his eyes and stood-up but remained standing in the same place afterwards... the boy kept looking at the waves while they battered the island's shorelines endlessly in silence. Great-sage Lin hugged Sun's thick and furry neck under his armpit and thought hard and deep of how Lily really has always been acting and behaving like the personification of envy! right under his nose she always acted naturally without care yet he was never able to connect the dots... simply because he didn’t believe in such superstitious legends. Maybe that’s why she always used to call him names which has relations to idiocy... because he couldn’t bring himself to believe the obvious. Lily always wanted whatever Lin has in his hands... whatever he has in life in general! even his feelings and emotions... the little-devil wanted them all for herself. The girl sought to find or manipulate the circumstances into forcing the boy to look at her enviously which rarely happened because she only met success a time or two... but when it did happen... Lily would always be like a cute kitten which is shivering from pure joy and ecstasy to the degree of not being able to stop itself from purring constantly while eating its favorite meal! when Lily awakened her martial-spirit and pranced in front of him on her phoenix-throne... great-sage Lin was honestly tickled by envy. When the slightest signs of their mother favoring Lin over Lily appeared... the girl did her best to cast him out of the picture and occupy their mother’s heart! so that she could receive all of the love for herself instead... yet despite all this... during these past six years the boy never gave the topic a second thought. Maybe because Lily is a very manipulative and cunning character by nature and that’s why great-sage Lin was always on-guard against overthinking things... gradually Lin became comfortable with accepting facts just the way they’re so that he wouldn’t fall into one of the games which his twin-sister loved to play! but the girl took advantage of that attitude of her twin-brother and tricked the boy by making her true character seem in his eyes like a front. That way the little-devil didn’t have to hide her feelings and behaved naturally all she wanted with the great-sage and the people around him. Lily did play all these games. But now Lin understood mostly why she did what she did. The girl dragged him out of his comfortable-zone slowly and the boy didn’t really notice how much he changed until now. The previous him would’ve never left his family in such a dangerous location like their village unless he’s completely assured of their safety! yet he did... because Lily is there. The previous him would’ve never agreed to join Mia’s cause and allow Sun to kill a person! yet he did... because Lily has long affected his mind after all their conversations and private meetings which already went against his moral-conduct. The previous him would’ve never made such a solemn oath to go after Yi Shirong’s life after hearing what Jin Bao said... no matter how great the help he received from the trapped-cultivator! the previous him would’ve found countless alternative ways to repay old Jin... like imprisoning Yi Shirong for the rest of his life, or by creating an organization for soul-cultivation which has the goal of spreading peace and fighting all sorts of evil. Yet he did... because what comes after living with Lily for six years is the idea of friends and family! everything else just lost its meaning in the eyes of the great-sage... it doesn’t really mean that Lin would go after people’s lives or cause harm without reason. However... after two-rounds of soul-pain which followed the slow change of character within these six years... the boy wouldn’t second-guess himself before doing so to those whom he judges as deserving to receive punishment by his hands... and that is that.

One of the mysteries of his past and current life just got revealed to him but the great-sage wasn't feeling excited about it. Because now Lin found himself having to find a way to unload Ming of his back and off his system! then there's five more people to be separated from his deepest persona before the boy truly find the thing which he sought in two lifetimes... his inner peace. But Lily did a really good job in hiding the truth from him so far. Why does it feel now like the girl did act that way on purpose to drive him away? no matter how hard great-sage Lin thought about it he couldn't come up with a viable explanation to the behavior of his twin-sister beside her maybe aiming to become the center-point of the village and the most adored and loved person in the hearts of its citizens... but Lin already withdrew himself from the matters of the villagers long ago and left Lily and his parents do almost everything! the boy wracked his brain thinking for a reason yet he couldn’t find anything close to a satisfying answer. However... the great-sage felt like there’s some other reason behind Lily’s behavior.

Poor Lin... if only had he knew that the answer he concluded was actually the major driving-reason behind Lily’s future-plans! the girl wanted to create a genesis-reactor and begin human-trials as soon as possible... but these plans of hers were completely thrown in the trash once Lily discovered the truth about the remnants of humanity and their circumstances. Now his step-sister is planning on making the entire human-civilization her minions and has her eyes set on taking the dream-position of "minister" which Lin always wanted... that feeling of jealousy and envy which the girl would get to feel from the boy would be the thickest and most pure emotion ever! since it’s his dream from the previous life and second most and one of his three deepest regrets. Third in rank of Lin’s deepest-regrets would be not having undergone the genesis-operation in his previous-life... sharing that third-rank would be not confessing to Sarah whom he had feelings for two lifetimes now. Second in rank would be not having achieved his dream of becoming the minister of knowledge. First in rank is not knowing what kind of fate befell his universe and whether or not his sacrifice meant anything. Since Lily already has her hands on the answer for the first and foremost... then why not get the second and third then have herself one delicious feast of envy! which would push her higher and higher in evolution... she might get to surpass wrath in rank and become the most advanced one among the seven deadly sins. The great-sage was unaware that his whereabouts and vital-signs were constantly being transmitted directly to his twin-sister until Kia summoned him to that forest... afterwards the ministry discovered that their methods can’t locate Lin anymore. Since the minister personally forbad councilor Halas from having any of his people going anywhere close to Lin in any such environment which is devoid of humans and mortals... the head-manager of the protection-council can only report the situation to the minister directly and minister Lei in-turn went to visit Lily! but he was considerate enough to go alone that time and to ask for permission before moving anywhere close to the village. But the details of the meeting and how Lily reacted would be revealed to Lin... years later that is.

Had Lin knew what Lily is after... then the boy would've flew back north to stop his twin-sister from influencing his people! cough... it wouldn't be bad for himself and everyone else if the great-sage became a minister too... cough.

However fate has already decreed the events of the future according to the choices of the people from present-time... Lin will discover the truth but too late.

By the time it happens... Lily would already be the commander of humanity. An individual who worked just as hard as him back in the previous-life... but her aim would be dedicated to figuring-out why when there's an ongoing genesis-operation the spirit-energy and the surrounding elements would start to mess-up the composition of the enhanced-cells within the human body and cause these body-cells to implode after over-flooding them with energy! despite being in the center of remembrance land where the spirit-energy is removed and suppressed heavily to the degree which would make spirit-sovereigns struggle to unleash their spirit-abilities... whenever a genesis-operation is initiated the chaos-energy in the surrounding atmosphere would willingly allow and let countless strands of pure spirit-energy enter its domain and cause mayhem in the trial’s body then leave. Lily would be gritting her teeth after another failed trial and cursing the heavens for being so damn annoying... she already got her hands on the best two wishes of Lin’s previous-life! why can’t she just achieve this third-wish? yet again... these events will be revealed to the boy in the future.

.....

Feeling his soul-force increase and his soul-bodies retaining parts and pieces of their missing halves by this accumulated soul-force which Ming gathered... Lin was very amazed by how very good it feels to have Ming help him soul or spirit-cultivate. Without Ming? Lin could do the usual thing and cultivate regularly while living his days normally... but the boy would be required to separate a small part of his concentration and awareness on the ongoing soul-cultivation within his soul-world! yes it’s a tiny and insignificant part of his attention that’s dedicated to complete the task... but that meager part of awareness could really prove vital in a fight where the great-sage finds his life at risk. Ming is acting like an automatic-feature which Lin has within his system as a unique option! the sin of pride knows which step to take while it meditate and cultivate... Ming doesn't require any kind of intervention or supervising from Lin while doing his assistive-work. He’s smart enough to do what’s required from him to do in case of an emergency without having to go back and ask the boy for commands and instructions.

While patting Sun's head great-sage Lin decided to celebrate with his red-tiger... since old Jin Bao lives then it’s a reason to be joyful after all. The secret of the gold-ring is out after senior Kai which is the formidable-soul of that inheritance- tool that Lin got to meet personally and heard the truth about this ring of origin from its mouth... then the meeting with Ming and knowing about his identity and the existence of his siblings which ended the mystery of Lily! but added a frown on Lin's forehead instead whenever the boy  thought about how to unload that great-burden. Once the great-sage sent his spirit-energy towards the space-ring he was shocked to find that all of his belongings which Kai previously made a huge-hurricane out of them... were returned back discreetly without Lin noticing a single thing! the chaotic mess and the broken wooden-boxes which used to contain medicinal-ingredients and spirit-coins was the only proof of what happened to these items... after spreading his awareness within his storage-item the boy discovered that nothing is messing or ruined... only the leather-book which was entailing the method of creating that immunity-physique which was taken by the talking-raccoon before was nowhere to be found. The great-sage just shrugged without care and retrieved the materials for the feast from the ring and began cooking and having fun with his tamed-beast which was excited by the unexpected treat from its buddy. Lin ate with Sun and had a peaceful and satisfying meal for the first time in days... first he was exhausted once he took Mia towards the first island. Then the boy exhausted himself for the sake of her breakthrough when he manipulated the invisible-strands of time-energy... shortly afterwards the great-sage received a sledgehammer directly to the soul from Mia! a sledgehammer which was an energy that’s made from a double-fusion of sword-intent and time-energy... once again Lin suffered during the easiest step and first step of spirit-cultivation when he attempted to cross the mundane and assimilate his martial-spirit towards the dantian-space... because the foreign time-energy in his groin-area which is the residue of energy in his system after Mia cut the boy’s penis off was plaguing his body and became the main-hindrance and another barrier against his pair of wings and light-energy. But the suffering of the great-sage wasn’t over yet... apparently it was just beginning! because he once again tasted the hoarseness in his throat after shouting and screaming to no end when he felt the agonizing torture of soul-pain... when the fusion of time-energy and sword-intent which were chaining and restricting his soul-body had their final and last stand against Lin’s light-energy and lost in the end. Finally the boy willingly tasted soul-pain once again in-order to breakthrough to the realm of soul-clone... looking back at how much has happened in such a very short duration after leaving his home! the boy couldn't help but feel some feelings of being slightly homesick grow within his chest.

After sighing inwardly... Lin unraveled these budding-emotions and let them scatter into nothing before looking up towards the sky and laughing aloud like a carefree person. The boy understands that he can't go back just yet... not after all what he heard about how big the world outside his home is from Jin Bao and Mia! not after the great-sage personally read all that information about how strange the components of alchemy within this world works... especially not after tasting what it feels like to gather light-energy and after seeing the numerous strands of spirit-energy and the wide-variety of elements which could be used in spirit-cultivation and have many types, uses, strength, and weaknesses. Finally not after already strengthening his physique to the degree of being capable to effortlessly trouncing any martial-arts expert from his past life... if said martial-arts expert is assisted by his old self which was twenty-nine years of age! if the three of them met in a two-against-one sparring match. After all these events and all these reasons the great-sage still have an oath which he has yet to fulfill... saving old Jin which would have the final wisp of his primordial-source dissipate in ten years. There’s no way in hell that Lin would go back home until achieving that goal! even if his current feelings of homesickness were quadrupled and multiplied by millions.

Feeling a lot better after filling his own and Sun's tummy... the boy sat-down and crossed his legs to meditate on recovering the missing parts of his soul-bodies with Ming. Despite telling this new brother of his earlier that he's going to take the second shift... honestly great-sage Lin still couldn't just patiently wait! Lin was so eager to try and experiment the new capabilities of his soul-abilities after gaining a clone. His memories from Jin Bao were already amazing... and the description within the soul-strengthening technique wasn’t enough to satisfy his curiosity. Under the joint soul-cultivation of the boy and the sin of pride... the recovery of the missing halves in both soul-bodies was visible to the eye! add to that how great-sage Lin and his new brother kept noticing hidden-wounds within their soul-bodies and carefully mended these wounds with as much layers as needed of the silver energy of soul-force... until both of them gradually eliminated all the energy which was of the extremely faint violet-color and hid itself within the cracks of the sword-scars which remained on the soul-clones of Lin and Ming. It was the same energy of sword-intent which somehow lingered on the two halves of the soul-clone from the time Mia unleashed that nasty and unexpected attack. After an extended period of time which Lin and Ming spent fluently and peacefully while working together on healing their soul-bodies... two soul bodies which are exactly the same in shape, size, and looks just sat back-to-back on the clear water which shines in gold color by the effect of soul-force which the boy and his brother share control of it in this soul-world. Everywhere around them and extending for almost one-hundred and sixty kilometers in range... is a domain which has a sky and atmosphere that’s no different from the world of light which great-sage Lin visited three times! meanwhile below their soul-bodies is the same calm surface of water which just reflects the golden color like a mirror of great proportions.

Lin felt his ability of soul-sense extend that far while maintaining a solid feel to it... similar to how it felt when he used his concentrated soul-force to manipulate the rock to hunt the fish back on the first-island previously! within the very first-circle which forms the inner and closest layer of soul-sense around his physical-body... the boy is sure that he can use a single thought to hurl a stone which weighs fifty kilograms to a distance of fifty kilometers towards the left then bring it back one-hundred kilometers in the opposite direction without losing the grip of his soul-force or control of it. To make a homing-projectile which can travel a distance of fifty kilometers only by using soul-force? to instantly form an invisible-tool or item of any shape within that range? now after experiencing what it feels like in person... great-sage Lin is starting to understand why soul-cultivators were feared and dreaded by cultivators of other systems and followers of other schools of thought! in a simple demonstration of an example... if Lin exchanged the stone with an explosive... or something much simpler like a sword, spear, arrow, or even a tiny poison-needle by mimicking the method used by the assassin Weisheng who tried to kill Sun before. The boy instantly understood that the potential of this improved form of soul-force is... practically limitless. Just how deadly soul-force would be after the great-sage achieve the realm of soul-materialization then? not even he dared to answer that... both Lin and Ming exchanged an excited look because if in this realm of soul-clone their soul-force gains such invisible form then... their logic is screaming that in the next realm whatever they think of forming would gain shape... but not invisible shape! but it’s enough that he can use his soul-force to throw his enemy off-balance during a fight now... or the great-sage can block and parry the attacks without lifting a single one of his fingers or completely prevent the attempts of his enemies if they wants to come anywhere closer to him if he feels like it. Let’s not forget that whatever excited the boy was how he could control that heavy object while maintaining his ability of soul-sense extended to the maximum-range! unlike before when Lin had to shrink and compress the ability in exchange for firmer control and more power. Within the middle-circle of his improved ability of soul-sense which its range extends from the point of fifty kilometers to the one-hundred kilometers mark... great-sage Lin felt his control over the object weaken by almost a half of what his capabilities were within the range of the inner-circle! meanwhile at the outermost-circle which makes the last stretch of range that his ability of soul-sense provides... the boy discovered that his control would hit rock-bottom when controlling an object! the best Lin could do in the range after the one-hundred kilometers mark is cause a splash on the water of the ocean and move a globe of water the size of basket-ball... gradually that globe dripped would lose some of its water whenever the great-sage lost more control of his soul-force... all the way until the absolute maximum-range of one-hundred and sixty kilometers where Lin was able to create a small rippling-effect which quickly disappeared after he touched the ocean water with his soul-force.

“Good job Ming, you really made it a lot easier for me, without your help it would’ve took me much longer to fix our clones back to this perfect-state.” The boy complimented Ming and was stunned when he saw the face of his soul-clone blushing fiercely! he didn’t like it when he saw a replica of himself being so... yuck.

“N... never mind it, b... brother I really did nothing much! you really should go and rest you know.” Ming avoided eye-contact and mumbled his answer in a faint voice... but the hint of a smile was shadowing the corner of his lips.

“I’ll be spirit-cultivating next” Great-sage Lin wasn't really in the mood for these sorts of awkward and strange situations. That’s why after announcing his intentions Lin left the soul-world and his new-brother then directed his awareness towards his physical-body before entering the space of his dantian.

“Heh... kyaah... hooray... yay!... did you hear that everyone? Lin just said to me that... I did a good job!... what do you think would happen if I got serious? will he pat me on the shoulder? maybe affectionately... ruffle my hair? or g... give me a k...kiss! cough... my heart almost stopped there, that’s so dangerous... I was so excited that I almost forgot to breathe... huff... this is so fun. Being alive is so fun... being close to him is such a pleasure, don’t you worry guys... I’ll do my best to make you join the fun soon, that’s my job and duty since I’m your big-brother... because we all have to pay her back for what she dared do to him... together that is.” Ming was leaning his head left and right while he spoke to himself... finally the deadly-sin of pride had to press on the area of its own heart to calm itself down when its fantasies reached the nosebleed-limit! but the final words were said while he conjured the image of Mia’s face on the surface of the water below his feet and stepped on it to make it burst into a splash of clear droplets.

Lin looked at the gaseous-clouds of light-energy within his dantian-space which have their unique form and shape of nebulas then at his spirit-wings who already swallowed half the amount of light-energy within each of these two nebulas while he was away and said : “My martial-spirit does indeed have an insatiable appetite for light-energy... I can feel that these two clouds which are in the lead, they give such a vibe of panic.” The boy smirked when he saw how these two dark-gold clouds seems to be forcing the clouds following their orbits to stay away from the enemy-nebula... yet and once in a while these two sly rivals would try and steal the followers from the nebula of the other dark-gold cloud! meanwhile the pair of wings which is almost completely gold in color at the majority of its feathers now and only a few lines of yellow color exist on a few of its feathers still... was calmly accepting the tributes of light-energy from the two dark-gold clouds and wasn’t affected by the situation where the two nebulas shrunk in size at all. The two gold-feathers which has the two symbols did gain an additional thick line of the dark-gold color at their edge and the dark-gold symbol of wings gained a darker shade of color. Once Lin willed it for light-energy to be attracted towards his body from the surrounding area and gather towards his dantian-space... it was like an ocean of light-energy just found an outlet and stormed the great-sage’s dantian! the two dark-gold clouds stopped fighting one another for resources once the situation changed and began capturing the light-energy which Lin's wings marked with its special brand. After strengthening themselves to the absolute-limit of purity after swallowing weaker clouds and crushing dark-gold clouds with weaker nebulas... these dark-gold clouds would relinquish some part of their own pure light-energy for the spirit-wings to process however they see fit like loyal and devoted subordinates. Then these two clouds would replenish themselves and their nebulas of what they just lost by forcing the weaker clouds into joining their nebula of light-energy. It was like a complete cycle and the only side which always gained from the process is Lin's martial-spirit.

“Our spirit-wings are almost completely gold in color now, that’s my favorite color... just thought that you... might want to know... cough!... anyway, how much longer do you think it will take for all of the feathers to turn completely dark-gold in color?” Ming appeared next to Lin and spoke casually while nudging the clone of his brother with his shoulder in an intimate-gesture but when he found the clone of his brother slowly turning to look towards him with a raised eyebrow... the oldest member of the seven deadly-sins blushed then regained his serious attitude and asked while looking towards the pair of wings.

“I really hope it won't take long... because we’re already delayed more than enough from the step of clearing the major-meridian.” Lin hoped for a much faster saturation from his martial-spirit because he only has ten years of time to save old Jin... he still has to find the five medicinal-ingredients which could assist the man... not to mention that cultivation already tends to take long times! some cultivators spend tens of years in a single retreat or a session of perfecting their techniques. Some meditate and reflect on their previous fights for much longer than ten years... some pass-away after spending a lifetime studying the day and trying to come-up with special-techniques which are specifically tailored for themselves or for their descendants.

Ming didn't tarry and watch after making Lin uncomfortable with his gushing-emotions! He made himself busy by manually handling the two dark-gold clouds and making them spin faster around the spirit-wings and their followers... followed. These two nebulas consumed each speck of light-energy that got branded by the pair of wings and the circular orbiting action created a typhoon of light-energy made up of different colors around the martial-spirit.

The light-energy which returned to the spirit-wings from the two dark-gold clouds became an endless and constant-supply which should be more than enough for the remaining yellow-feathers to turn gold already... yet it didn’t happen despite it being a while since Ming pressed the acceleration-pedal with his actions! it was then that Lin noticed that despite there being very small and few parts and lines of the yellow-color on the few feathers left... all that light-energy which the pair of wings received was entirely gobbled-up by the two gold-feathers which has the two-symbols. Both feathers were gradually but extremely slowly turning dark-gold in color... meanwhile the two symbols themselves seem to be exchanging favor with one another! the symbol of wings is already completely in the dark-gold color while the symbol of infinity is completely silver in color yet now its color seems to have deepened a lot since the last time Lin saw it... the symbol of wings received some of the silver-color on a few of its feathers from the symbol of infinity while and the symbol of infinity received a line of the dark-gold color on the middle of its horizontal silver-line which is twisting and reversing in shape. Once this exchange was completed finally a change happened and both of symbol-feathers became entirely dark-gold in color! this change was the last hurdle that was hindering the rest of the yellow-feathers from turning gold in color as it would seem... since the obstacle was no more... the yellow-feathers quickly consumed the light-energy to upgrade in quality after the symbol-feathers allowed them the chance. Quickly the last and final part which was of the yellow-color disappeared and the boy looked towards his brother which was smiling from ear-to-ear because their pair of wings are now of his favorite color then he smiled too... while thinking that this Ming is indeed... special.

“Hmm!...” Ming suddenly focused at controlling the two nebulas but he felt that something just wasn’t right because the control was taken from him.

Before Lin got to ask what’s going on he watched how his spirit-wings moved on their own... the pair of wings fluttered once gently and very slowly! but when it happened it caused the typhoon of light-energy which has been surrounding the martial-spirit for a while now to scatter all over the dantian-space... quite a lot of the clouds got sent hurling all the way until they got stuck on the walls of Lin's dantian. Now instead of being completely a dark-space outside and everywhere around this area in the center of the dantian-space which has been the playground for his spirit-wings and whatever clouds of light-energy which the boy accumulated to accompany his martial-spirit! some stars which were glowing faintly are glued to the dantian-walls at the farthest-end of the dantian-space... constantly flickering in a weak glow because of the distance in the white, yellow, and gold colors. The reason there isn’t any gold-color stars is because these clouds were able to struggle against the pressure-wave which the pair of wings caused earlier... however... these mighty and pure clouds of light-energy found themselves mostly with a few clouds left within their nebulas! any cloud that got stuck to the dantian-walls was separated from the tyranny and control of the dark-gold clouds... only the two smart dark-gold clouds survived the event in a somewhat better shape than the rest of the dark-gold clouds since they lost only two-thirds of their nebulas when the pair of wings fluttered once in laziness. All these clouds which got stuck to the dantian-walls were no more than tiny specks on a dark canvas... their existence on the dantian-walls perfected the image within the dantian-space and Lin's spirit-wings truly became the center of their own universe now! orbited by two big stellar-nebulas which are different in shape and growing bigger by consuming more of the clouds in their surroundings... outside the inner-circle where these two nebulas orbit there’s many more of the smaller nebulas and stray light-energy. This scenery is overlooked by a variety of stars on the dantian-walls.

The good news after that event however... is that the martial-spirit seems to have had enough of the light-energy after attaining the rank of gold-color. The pair of wings completely stopped taking any light-energy from the plates of the two smart dark-gold clouds the spirit-wings allowed these two clouds to fatten-up and upgrade their rank! while Lin and Ming dedicated their focus on gathering strands of light-energy from an area of a whopping one-hundred and sixty kilometers... the great-majority of the light-energy within their dantian-space was consisted-of the gaseous-clouds of the white-color and their count two-thirds. The remaining one-third of light-energy inside the dantian-space has eighty-percent of its count made-up from the gaseous-clouds of the yellow-color... nineteen-percent is made-up from the gaseous-clouds of the gold-color! the two smart dark-gold clouds and the few dark-gold clouds which has yet to be annihilated by them would be exaggeration to give them the remaining balance of one-percent... but since these gaseous-clouds of the dark-gold color are of a higher rank and grade of purity within the rankings of the light-energy... then they can occupy that small number.

In the beginning... the two-thirds of the gaseous-clouds within the dantian-space which are of the white-color united into a single-front by separating from their nebulas and created a huge white-cloud which became a new superpower that suppressed the disunited-minority of gaseous-clouds! that huge white-cloud began actively swallowing the newly-branded light-energy clouds for a chance to rise to the next grade and rank of the light-energy which is the yellow-color... that huge in size and great in might white-cloud... tore-apart dark-gold, gold, and yellow-clouds into white-clouds which are tiny in size like dots then recruited them into its mega-sized white-body until that mega-sized white-cloud successfully rose-up in rank into the yellow color. Once it happened Lin and Ming thought that the next step would be for that mega-sized yellow-cloud to rise again into the gold-color... then naturally the dark-gold color would follow! then both of them would get to work and use that titanic-cloud to clear-up their first major-meridian... easy-work and a gain which is much easier. Yet their pair of wings seems to have... the final word to say in this matter... the spirit-wings fluttered again in laziness which caused a shockwave that not only shredded that mega-sized yellow cloud to a much smaller yellow and white-clouds but also it sent the majority of the gaseous-clouds within the dantian-space hurling towards the dantian-walls! which caused more stars to appear on the surroundings of the martial-spirit. Chaos is the word to describe the aftermath that follows each flutter of these pair of wings... it’s been three days and nights where Lin and Ming spent them focused on gathering strands of light-energy and trying their best to reach the so-called state of peak-refinement when it comes to spirit-cultivation! their aim is the highest state of purity for the gaseous-clouds of light-energy and both of them strived hard to change all the colors of the gaseous-clouds into dark-gold which is the color they think is highest in purity... only to end-up being interrupted by the spirit-wings whenever they fluttered and scattered the light-energy to the dantian-walls. A look at the inner workings within the dantian-space would differ by much from three days ago though... the darkness which could be seen everywhere outside the domain of colorful gaseous-clouds of light-energy around the pair of wings previously is no more! despite the stars on the dantian-walls being only less than one-percent comparable to the dark-walls... their existence did indeed erase the air of gloominess which could be felt from the dantian-space previously. But all of the effort in the past three days seems to be working... since the branded gaseous-clouds of light-energy inside the dantian-space are now entirely gold in purity which is a sort of gain in a way... however... their count is less than a thousand clouds in both of the two smart dark-gold cloud’s nebula! by now both of Lin and Ming has figured-out why the prime-light technique mentioned that refining and purifying spirit-energy actually delays spirit-cultivation momentarily in the beginning... but this step is necessary to confirm and affirm the sturdiness of foundations which boosts the speed of its user in sub-realms and major-realms beyond the initial and middle-realms.

Being a perfectionist... and a great spokesperson of the cause itself! of course Lin have no impatience for short-gain whatsoever... the boy spent these three days and night talking with Ming about any and everything to spend time and wasn't surprised by the brilliance which his brother has but the great-sage noticed how this deadly-sin of pride would turn shy and meek whenever he complimented him! whenever Lin touched Ming for any reason he would feel his other clone shivering in excitement and the glow within its eyes would increase by a few folds. 'Whatever, I already have a slut of a sister back home and another who clearly targets me even before we met! what kind of harm a sissy can cause in this mess?' Deciding that he wants no part of whatever this is about... Lin changed the topic and asked Ming for his opinion on Mia and how does he suggests that the boy should do with her once they meet in the future.

“Let’s be honest here... if she starts crying and begging for forgiveness then you’ll instantly embrace her and shower her with apologies instead! I really think that you forgave her after seeing the look of confusion in her eyes before she disappeared... so, why not let me and our siblings give her a scare of her life first, don't deny it now... we all already know how forgiving you can be, even if you got raped, murdered, and tortured! then that process was repeated for an eternity, just one tear on her eyes and an expression of sorrow on her face then you'll be holding her in your arms... because she reminds you of Sarah somehow, but all of us don’t get the resemblance at all really. After all scaring her is much better than Lily or the rest of us tearing her apart because of what she dared to do... that’s the only safe option here, all of us were already on the verge of forcefully hijacking your body and killing her when she blasted our soul with sword-intent fused with time-energy you know! when Mia cut our penis off wrath was already beginning to revert but she escaped before it happened... too bad really, all of us wanted to see it happen.” Ming touched the area of his groin with one of his hands while he spoke in a soft and uninterested tune of voice... but from his three-eyes Lin read the emotions of malice which his brother tried to hide while he spoke and gave this answer.

“Sounds fun... do I get to watch?” Lin smiled and asked.

“Hell no!... it’s only fun when you're introduced in the end, like in the movies where the hero swoops-in during the moment of absolute-despair and saves the damsel in distress. But with that personality of hers... I bet she'll never be vulnerable to her... "friends" ever again! when she cut you I felt her pride flare and wrath said that hers kicked-in and instantly spiked unbelievably. Actually... she only awoke from the state of being blinded by emotions, after Mia has done the deed.” Ming told Lin how it should be done from his perspective and Lin just shrugged... because when the time comes maybe... he would allow Ming and the rest of the siblings spank and frighten Mia to their heart-content! or he would do it personally himself... who knows what the future holds.

“Lin... how long are you planning to spirit-cultivate? use the space-talisman already and go look for these five medicinal-ingredients. Listen up! I want you free from that beggar’s karma-debt before you officially begin repaying my favor.” Lin found Kai's voice shaking him from his calm state of spirit-cultivation. When the great-sage opened his eyes he found his tamed-beast timidly crouching-down and tucking its tail between its legs in fear when it felt the presence of the talking-raccoon once again. “Yes senior Kai, the first of the medicinal-ingredients which I seek could be found in the area where the west-coast of the southern-continent is... if you would be so kind and direct me on what to do, I've never used a space-talisman before... and I don’t know how to set the destination right.” The boy quickly made sure he didn't leave anything behind of his belongings in and the island then retrieved the folded leather-scroll from his space-ring and unfurled it! but once he did Lin didn’t know how to injected his spirit-energy inside it to activate the talisman since none of his meridians is unlocked yet... the great-sage spoke and asked for help.

“Just use it... you have soul-force you stupid boy! sigh, pull some strands of light-energy towards the talisman and it will work, since I already know where do you want to go then I’ll steer you somewhere nearby pearl-harbor, what you'll do from there is your thing. But remember this... one single hint leaked or word mentioned about me, or the ring of origin appearing once again within the spirit-world... and both of you know the rest of the story that’s going to happen next. Like you said before Lin... I don't trust you, but I trust that you treasure the lives of your friends and family.” Kai gave Lin a threat which made the great-sage instantly create a new rule in life... after the first-rule which is to never use his spirit-wings in-doors or without the assistance of the abilities of soul-force! now the second-rule in life is to keep everything that’s related to Kai an absolute secret... because once divulged. His family would be in catastrophic danger.

“Your mistrust is understandable senior Kai... and I shall remember and fear this rule then respect it with every breath which I take.” Lin answered then pulled the strands of light-energy from around him then injected this light-energy into the center of the invisible space-formation which is on the piece of leather in his hands... once he felt the surrounding elements stir and be affected by that space-formation which was really activated this simply! the boy gestured for his red-tiger to shrink its body and it obeyed the instruction of its buddy instantly and transformed into a kitten... Sun settled on the shoulder of the great-sage and was excited because he saw Mia escape with the help of one of these scrolls after hurting his best-friend. Now they’re going to try using that thing too.

“Off with you then.” Kai said and a ball of invisible-energy which is different from Mia's time-energy encapsulated both Lin and Sun within it then the sight of the world—outside the invisible-formation which relocated itself and transitioned from the small piece of leather-scroll to cover the interior of this ball of invisible energy, if the boy’s soul-force wasn’t stronger than when Mia Left... then he would’ve never noticed the difference that happened to the interior of this invisible-ball of energy! before the leather-scroll itself crumbled to pieces then scattered like ash through the fingers of the great-sage  before disappearing—started to blur and Lin understood that he’s currently travelling at a speed which is way higher than the top-speed which he moved with before when he had a pair of wings. The boy suspected that the movement-speed which both himself and his buddy are currently experiencing from within safety of this invisible-barrier... might actually be even faster than the speed of his pair of wings when they were of the white-color! mentioning the time when the great-sage flew without having to restrict his spirit-wings with any soul-force at all.

Once Lin and Sun left the island... Kai the talking-raccoon appeared in the location where the boy sat earlier and meditated on his spirit-cultivation.

While smirking... Kai gave a final look towards the north. But his eyes weren’t looking towards the land of forgetfulness at all! these pair of black eyes were looking much further north. Since within the map of the spirit-world the only thing which could actually be found in the far north is the northern-continent... which is location where the headquarters of the church of light is located. Then these pair of black eyes just looked at that location which is very far before the raccoon took a step and it vanished from the second-island of Lin’s journey! Kai followed after the boy slowly and every small step he took covered great distance... a closer look would reveal that below his feet the very fabric of space was being folded and the waves and water-currents below that area would stop and freeze in place.

.......

Northern-continent.

Within the sacred retreat of the fourteenth-pope. This person is the person who’s currently—and for a long while now—holding the seat of the highest-authority and rank within the church of light! one man who’s fully draped in white clothes which are embroidered with gold suns at the sleeves and a single sun on the back... beneath the cape on his shoulders one belt of the gold-color could be noticed from the front at the waist of this tall-man. Which is actually the only weapon of Andreas... light-serpent is the famous name of that inheritance-tool... its ranking is slightly lacking within the high-grade because its strength is ranked to be of the mid-grade... but when it comes to speed light-serpent is actually ranked in the peak-grade among inheritance-tools.

Andreas was slowly walking underneath the foliage of the lush-gardens behind the most important building within the territory of the headquarters of the church of light... the “basilica” while he walked through the gardens slowly Andreas’s feet never once touched a strand of grass beneath his white shoes which might seem as being made from simple, cheap, and rough fabric like wool or something of comparable worth! these pair of shoes are actually made from the hairs of sovereigns which Andreas personally defeated in his life and to show respect to these enemies... the fourteenth-pope stringed this simple footwear from it and has been wearing it since then.

Once Andreas reached the area of his private transportation-formation which is only activated with his consent... no-matter what emergency might happen within the church of light... that order has always been followed in thousands of years! there the pope found one of the four high-cardinals waiting... behind the high-cardinal is three of the sixty-cardinals and a dozen of the archbishops. Sixteen of the high-rank authority within the church of light were waiting the arrival of their pope in full attention.

The fourteenth-pope is a very tall man with deep blue eyes... his hair which seems to be completely golden of color but much of its strands are already leaning towards the grey color or were mostly white in color. His beard short and in order while his arms long like his stature. Andreas’s seems to be built thin but it isn’t to the degree which he could be called skinny.

“Francisco... you're to immediately head towards the islands of the seamless-sword sect, remember that you need calm Dailong the sect-master at any cost, after Katherine failed to retrieve one of the lost fragments of the prime-light technique by herself, then failed again to get rid of that man’s daughter... we can’t avoid having to admit our wrongs to his sect since the great-sects would happily gang-up on us if we don’t. Notify that... sword for brains... that I locked Katherine myself in the "dungeons of reflection" after crippling her cultivation since she was really acting on her own, that impulsive girl... had she told me about it before acting then I would’ve dealt with her troubles discreetly, but she really didn’t know that Mia would be able to take the fragment, and followed-through with the plans which she made beforehand anyway. Sigh... while you're there, try to find out how did that girl manage to elude the two assassins despite her injuries? why did she take two years to return? and above all else... know where the prime-light fragment is right now... hmm!” Suddenly Andreas stopped talking and looked towards the direction of the south... just earlier the pope felt being stared-at by two eyes which looked at his back! peering as much as possible and as far as he can for a few seconds... Andreas was shocked when he found that the strange feeling of being spied-on just disappeared once it arrived. Andreas the leader and pope of one of the five great-sects was frowning at how that feeling from before was... familiar.

“Your holiness... any further instructions before we leave?” Francisco bowed slightly and reminded his pope that he wants to leave with full instructions otherwise the current situation with the seamless-sword sect might worsen much further than it already is if he didn’t.

“Go,” Andreas waved his arm in dismissal and Francisco the high-cardinal nodded then activated the space-formation which can allow him and his entourage to travel such a great-distance and head for the seamless-sword sect in a matter of seconds... the high-cardinal and the fifteen people behind him were gone in a split-second, “Bring Yi Shirong to me.” The pope muttered these words and if anyone was there to witness it then they might’ve thought he’s talking to himself! but less than a minute later after Andreas said these words someone did arrive in the gardens behind the "basilica" which is a middle-aged man who has a charming smile which constantly remained on his face. This middle-aged man is wearing a cyan robe on-top of another purple robe... he quickly arrived then knelt-down on both knees in front of the fourteenth pope! he kept his kneeling posture in silence while maintaining his head lowered.

“Tell me... what happened with soul-demon Jin Bao before you killed him?” Andreas finally spoke to this puppet which he personally ordered for Yi Shirong to go through countless tortures once the wind and lightning spirit-cultivator returned from the land of forgetfulness... just to make sure that he didn't actually hide the ring of origin somewhere! finally Yi Shirong was planted with a slave-seal once nothing was gained from torturing him... now this spirit-emperor has the identity of being one of the "fallen-angels" and for almost two-centuries he’s been forced to do all sorts of dirty missions for the church.

“Yes... after receiving your orders I returned to the southern-continent... while me and soul-demon Jin Bao were supposed to be in a mission to gather some rare materials...” Yi Shirong talked mechanically without stop but his voice had no emotions or feelings to it! meanwhile Andreas just listened. However the pope wasn’t looking at the kneeling middle-aged man at all... he was looking towards the direction south while a heavy feeling of the existence of something bad and ominous that did happen kept haunting his chest! his keen and strong intuition warned Andreas that there’s a storm or some sort of tribulation which is coming towards the location of their church. The direction of this threat is south! only the pope was conflicted by the reason which is causing this storm... is it because Katherine failed to achieve her goals? if it’s indeed true then... Andreas has to be on-guard against the seamless-sword sect. If it isn’t caused by what the holy-daughter failed to achieve then... it’s something else which is beyond his knowledge... but there’s already too few things which are already outside the knowledge of Andreas the fourteenth-pope of the church of light! somehow he felt like he needs to be prepared for this storm... specifically for this storm.

.....

South of the southern-continent.

After crossing the great territories of the beasts and the area of beast-mountains which takes more than a quarter in size of the southern-continent as a whole! then after going deeper into the south within the borderless-ocean... the ocean-water there could be seen covered in a thick cloud of mist which is "everlasting" people of this spirit-world know it by the name "time-mist" that layer of mist is the protective-formation which surrounds the location of the headquarters of one of the five great-sects. The seamless-sword sect... Mia’s sect.

Currently all the sect-members has been recalled back to the sect and all of them were left with a single order... "prepare for war" and everyone has been keeping this state of being on standby ever since their saintess returned a month ago! safe and sound she was... but everyone within the sect knows that sword-sovereign almost left to storm the church of light on his own after listening to Mia’s story. If it wasn't for the vice-sect master and the grand-elders quick reaction by notifying the great-ancestors who had to leave the seclusion of their peaceful-retreat to stop Dailong... then an all-out fight between two of the great-sects would've happened in this era! their sect-master was finally contained but he strongly demanded the head of the holy-daughter and notified the other three great-sects of the situation where the assassins-guild is being involved within the matters of the great-sects to suppress the people of the church of light... which is breaking the agreement between the "unified" great-sects in a sign of obvious "disregard" and "spite" from the church and a demonstration of their "arrogance" and "high-handed" attitude.

Dailong’s demand for the head of the holy-daughter is justified and his patience is limited... otherwise he would be forced to deliver justice for his beloved daughter who was wronged! by forcefully and personally breaking into the church of light himself and take Katherine's head.

The message from sword-sovereign shook the spirit-world... since he has always been a person without any regard for the squabbles among those of the younger-generation... if it’s done right that is! if Mia had perished within the trials of the drowned-realm then he wouldn't have cared to know about how much injustice his daughter has went through... being bullied by those around her age means she’s weaker. Dailong already has full confidence in the abilities of his daughter. But had his daughter failed to breakthrough her sword-intent and materialize it not... had she met that mysterious-person not... then Mia would've still been running aimlessly within the cursed-land of forgetfulness until god knows when she would’ve ended-up failing to hold-on to dear life! while his daughter suffered that fate he was being misguided by all the false information which the church kept leaking of possible sightings of Mia in many locations.

In the main-hall of the seamless-sword sect.

Mia's father sat on the highest chair in the center with evident emotions of rage filling his brown eyes... meanwhile on the left-side of his seat is the seats of the vice-sect master, grand-elders, and elders. While on the right-side of his seat there’s seven old men and women with heads full of white hair or none at all... however all of the seven old people seemed too old to the degree of having a foot within the grave already! but their cultivation is undeniably superior to everyone within the main-hall... except Dailong of course. However... three of the old people has similar attainments in spirit-cultivation to the current sect-master and a slightly superior attainments in sword-intent! yet their dwindling vitality and longevity would place them in a huge disadvantage against Dailong if a life and death battle ever happened between them. That’s why all of them were feeling fidgety and anxious under the stare of these rage-full eyes of the current sect-master.

“Cough... Dailong my child, just calm your anger and settle-down already, didn’t Mia come back to us in one piece? isn’t the schemes of our enemy uncovered to the whole world? we have the approval of the great-sects and the upper-hand while the church is backed against the wall! why not milk the cow completely dry and benefit ourselves from this opportunity? instead of locking horns with the losers of this exchange... we drain their resources and nurture a few more pillars and become stronger, while they waste-away and become weaker in this era. It’s a win-win opportunity for my seamless-sword sect, so let’s take it.” One of the alarmed ancestors coughed slightly then advised the sect-master to be smart and think about the sect itself... most of the people attending this meeting in the sect’s main-hall nodded in agreement. Even those who didn’t reveal their intentions were already groaning inwardly because their sect-master is being stubborn again! his overprotective character is just hard to deal with in these situations. The only two people who could really talk some sense into him are Mia’s mother... and Mia herself. But one of them is already resting in the grave and the other one is just... away from their reach! and the reason is that man himself.

“My daughter! my only daughter, and let’s not forget that she’s... the saintess of this sect, one of the five great-sects! has almost died because of some evil plot... and here you’re telling me to calm down! where’s your face senior? I want to see if the slap which these hypocrites from the church delivered us by this evil scheme... has affected your thick-skin yet,” While leering at the old man who spoke earlier Dailong slapped the armrest of his chair and replied... but each word he said made the man’s face redden in shame, “These faith-farts from the church think of anyone as a tool... nothing more! their holy-daughter is a tool no less herself, say nothing of those envoys from the church... which you're eagerly waiting for their arrival and salivating while rubbing your hands. Humph... precious gifts in your eyes is worth more than the dignity of the sect, worth more than my daughter’s life! these envoys... will never meet me or my daughter, and I'm forbidding each and every one of you from meeting Mia. Heh... expect more of the same in the future, others will repeat this against our sect-members in the future, those who succeed in their schemes will just get away with it, those who fail... will just have to pay the price with resources! to hell with all of you, to hell with your greed. What happens after there’s too few of you left in the sect and all these resources? have any of you thought about it yet? or are you all too blinded by wealth?” Getting up from his seat after delivering his verdict... Dailong looked towards the source of opposition which has been the worst pain in the ass ever since he received the position of sect-master, “vice-sect master Zhang... you’ve worked very hard to prevent war from happening between our sect and the church, and worked much harder to prevent me from suppressing the church with the help of the temple, alliance, throne and statue... now I tell you all this truth... if what happened to my daughter... is going to be treated this way, ignored and covered in the folds of politics... like nothing but a trade! then I’ll leave the sect with my daughter, our relations can be considered severed for good if you feel like it, and if you want... start nominating a new sect-master right now I no longer care. But... come anywhere near Mia, and I’ll cut without mercy! come at me whenever... I might show some mercy then.” Sword-sovereign Dailong left the hall after finishing his words... but the people within the hall were panicking and looking at one another in loss for words.

The seven-ancestors of the seamless-sword sect were mostly glaring at vice-sect master Zhang who in a way didn’t handle this situation with an attitude of someone which is caring for the face and benefits of the sect itself... he could be said to have the interests of the church itself since the reputation of their sect is at stake after their saintess was wronged! but this man manipulated them into opposing Dailong and stalling him while Zhang himself confirmed the agreement with the church... once it happened the three great-sects quickly lost interest in the matter and sneered at the cowardly response from the sword-sect. The man himself was frowning deeply while being under these judging eyes of his ancestors and trying to find a solution to this current predicament... Zhang has secret ties with the high-cardinal Francisco of the church's south-branch since their junior days! Zhang was planning on gaining benefits from the church for the pleasure of his minions to gain their support and increase his faction within the sect to fight for the position of sect-master on the first opportunity. Under the condition of giving the church the information which they need... but now the position which he sought is clearly empty and he’s the best and probably the only candidate available for it! yet the information which he has to deliver is beyond his abilities to attain... and the sect has already lost a great talent which is its saintess! Dailong is protecting and guarding his daughter personally and nobody knows just how exactly did she manage to escape these two assassins unharmed? since his information is better than the people of his sect... Zhang knows that Mia was forced to enter the land of forgetfulness and that her pursuers had a scorpion-tailed Cerberus! yet two veteran-assassins in the tyrant-realm and armed with spirit-tools couldn’t finish the job... somehow. Now her father is demanding the head of the holy-daughter otherwise he would just grab his shit and leave... which he clearly intends to do. But even if Dailong left the sect... Zhang would still be in a tough-spot because he just can’t complete his end of the deal with the people from the church. The vice-sect master felt like his head is going to explode and really wished if he could just go and beat this stubborn Dailong... simply because this person has a way of gaining the advantage over people by just being in the picture! Zhang really is starting to believe the tale of how Dailong avoided death once by squatting to pick a spirit-coin... they say that sword-sovereign answered the assassin who asked him : how did you discover my disguise? and said : "intuition" while flipping the coin. The assassin escaped in the end but afterwards the facts proved it that Dailong always follows his instincts like a beast... from beginning to end Zhang has been sniffed-out by sword-sovereign! and after the vice-sect master thought that his manipulation has worked... Dailong still made the only choice that would somehow turn the situation around on Zhang instead.

After leaving the main-hall Dailong took a step and vanished from the sight of the anxious people inside it. Next time he appeared... sword-sovereign was standing above the sword-formation which he personally placed around the abode his daughter after she returned. Since then... Mia only met and spoke with him plus her Xiaoxi! besides the two of them... the saintess only spoke with the awakened-soul of her sword which is a low-rank inheritance-tool. Back then... his daughter told him that Katherine tricked her into a sword-duel then later used a world-stabilizing needle to mess-up the formation of her transportation-talisman. How she escaped the two assassins by going towards the land of forgetfulness and how she spent two years escaping their dogged-chase day and night! how these assassins had a scorpion-tailed Cerberus which never allowed her the slightest opportunity to escape the chase... then how she broke-through in her sword-cultivation after she found help from a barbarian who helped her in getting rid of the two assassins. Then how finally Mia got to leave the land of forgetfulness and how she broke-through into the tyrant-realm then simply used an advanced space-talisman which she found within one of the two space-rings which they gained from the assassins. Mia refused to mention that barbarian or what happened with him after she killed her pursuers to her father. She described everything except that person but her father noticed the gaze of loss on her face whenever his daughter mentioned that person. Dailong felt his daughter’s pain but he honestly cared more for her safety and well-being.

Sword-sovereign did try to get information on that person under the guise of rewarding him after what he did for his daughter! but Mia merely smiled in sadness and shook her head then said : “In... five years, he will visit our sect, that time will he come as an enemy or a friend... sigh! no use worrying about these things right now, I better work hard on my cultivation, otherwise he’s going to leave me behind in his dust, and before I know it he would look down on me... as someone beneath him.” He saw his daughter hug her turtle and bite her lips in frustration after saying that... but DaiLong was happy that his daughter has finally began taking her cultivation seriously. Mia always said that it’s easy to breakthrough or it’s easy to understand the most complicated manuals and sword techniques! without her even noticing it... his daughter always had this unhealthy kind of arrogance which was ingrained so deeply within her bones. It was something that always made Dailong worry a lot for Mia’s character. However... ever since Mia returned after undergoing that horrible-experience the change of her personality has been the most obvious improvement in the eyes of her father! she became a character which is no longer arrogant or laid-back... her attitude is eager for hard work and hungry for cultivation. As if some kind of lifelong-rival might surpass her if the saintess relaxed for a moment. 'How could there be someone from the same generation like that daughter of mine who could see her as a being who’s "beneath" him? that damn brat must’ve touched her heart and that’s why she’s so worried about their next meeting, humph, humph, humph... if I discover that he dared bully my Mimi, then I’ll take her and personally go visit the throne and statue to spank some sense into him, he must be one of the chosen ones among the descendants of the barbarian-emperor... maybe I should investigate them and see if I could use my "skill" to sniff-out the brat who’s so great as to catch the eye of my daughter.' Sword-sovereign thought and shook his head since the idea is impossible... there being someone who would see the saintess of the great-sect beneath him in talent within this generation is nowhere to be found... maybe if it was Dan Pengfei of the heart-seeking sect. But since the young-master isn’t a barbarian then said person is... yet to be born in this generation in the opinion of sword-sovereign. Add her recent breakthrough in sword-intent and her current spirit-cultivation which surpassed seven sub-realms and stabilized at the eighth-stage of the realm of spirit-tyrant in such a short time! his daughter is already a supreme powerhouse within her generation much like how her mother used to be back in the days... remembering how he used to chase after her mother everywhere all the time and hoping to impress the previous-saintess made Dailong smile and sword-sovereign walked towards Mia's room while the memories of his youth warmed his heart with every step he took. However... Dailong isn’t aware yet that maybe... maybe for the first time ever... his "skill" and instincts which worked like some sort of sure-fire magic before... has misfired! because his target isn’t from the war-god throne or axe-holding statue in the western-continent.

“Mimi... are you awake?” After entering the sword-formation Dailong stood in front of Mia's abode and knocked gently on the door while asking in a soft voice... sword-sovereign was afraid that he might startle his daughter out of her cultivation if he spread his senses! despite being four major-realms above her this father cared about the feelings of his daughter a bit too much.

“Lord-father, come-on in,” Once he heard his daughter's lovely voice Dailong pushed the door and entered. Within the courtyard sword-sovereign saw his daughter using colors to paint on the shell of her tamed-beast Xiaoxi! the young-woman was wearing a beautiful dress of the violet-color which is her favorite color. Mia’s hairstyle was simple because all of it was gathered in a single ponytail which fell at her back, “They refused to let you loose and have your way dealing with the church huh! as expected.” Mia saw the frown on her father’s face and knew that he must’ve underwent another argument with the ancestors, grand-elders, elders, and vice-sect master Zhang. “Humph... it’s their loss.” Dailong just huffed and scoffed at the foolish choice of these people... but his attitude mellowed a lot after seeing his daughter and hearing her voice. “Heh... you’re indeed right, but I already told you that they'll never do it in the first place, unless they’re prepared to completely sever all relations and slap the church... only then would they call for a gathering of the five great-sects and judge the church together with them, but that would mean that the resources wouldn’t be given only to our sect... they would be forced to share three-quarters with the three great-sects and that’s where vice-sect master took advantage of the situation, let’s not forget that if a gathering of the great-sects happened then it means that I’m required to divulge information which I’ll give unless the person who helped me escape back then agrees.” Mia spoke carelessly of the matter while walking towards her father. “Humph... you’re going through such trouble and being wronged yet accepting it so calmly to keep that person’s identity hidden from the great-sects, is it worth it? Mimi... is he really so great like what you make him seem?” Dailong looked deeply in the eyes of his daughter while holding her shoulders gently with two huge hands and asked these questions. “Father!... I already told you that I won’t say who he’s, so please don’t force me to lie to you, because I would do so, I’m warning you... hehe. Seriously though... it’s only five years, why’re you in such a rush to know the secret, who knows? maybe when you meet him you'll instantly understand how pointless it’s to get angry at Katherine for what she did to me, when you gain such an amazing son-in-law as an unexpected profit from that experience! even I began to feel pity for her these days,” Mia clung to her father's thick neck like a brat and teased Dailong with some information of her mysterious hero when she saw him fuming slightly, “You’re indeed formidable and very strong, but lord-father already knows that the church has its own set of monsters... in the case of an all-out war between our sects then countless people would die! these people from our sect are thinking selfishly, yes we both agree on that, but their selfishness is for a chance of making our seamless-sword sect stronger.” The saintess shrugged and spoke her opinion openly without care. “They don’t care about the reputation of my daughter or the reputation of the sect itself!” Sword-sovereign grunted this answer in dissatisfaction which made Mia’s smile widely and reply : “So what? If we’re strong then whoever dares should just come and we’ll make the time-mist their tomb! what do you say if we have a small bet between us? you bear with these idiots from our sect, and the bullies from the church, just hold your hand and take no action until my hero arrives and you see him with your eyes. If... he turns-out to be worth the risk which I went through in the land of forgetfulness, then I win. If... he isn't, then I lose." Mia understood that her lord-father has been furious like this because of her! had it been any other person from her sect then he would've warned the church of light at best... or made them pay the price of their transgressions in valuable resources.

“Alright... I’ll await for your prince-charming, he better be one heck of a monster... otherwise I’ll chase him all the way back to whatever cursed-land from which he came. Worry not and cultivate Mimi... no-one will dare distract you because I've already warned them that whomever tries to get near your abode will be handled personally by me. Humph... after these farts come and go I’ll take you out to beast-mountains to train you myself, it's been a while since I went there with your mother anyway.” Saying this final line made the shoulders of Mia’s father tremble slightly while sorrow filled his eyes... but Dailong hid his emotions by giving his daughter a gentle and long hug then left after taking a silent and emotional look at her face! she really took after her late mother in looks more and more... especially after the saintess spent these two years away from his eyes. Sword-sovereign still remembers when he saw his daughter once she returned... for a split-second the father was confused because he really thought this woman is his wife which he lost almost two-decades ago.

“I hope he doesn't come to fight us father... because if he’s, then that situation would be in the favor of the church instead.” Mia muttered faintly to herself while hugging Xiaoxi's body towards her chest and kissing the tiny head of her tamed-beast.

“Mia!... why so sad? cheer-up girl! you’re so beautiful like Xiaoxi. Beauty makes you live forever... uh! I forgot... never mind, were you saying something my dear?” Xiaoxi asked in her slow and gruff voice then the small-turtle which have colorful drawings on its shell seemed to forget that she just asked anything... the eyes of this turtle always seems lost, vacant of emotions, and pure! Xiaoxi watched everything around her like she's just seeing the world for the first time... ever.

“I hurt someone I love... I don’t even know why I did it! one moment I happy was that he’s awake, honestly I was really anxious... because earlier before that time I was silly enough to wrong him. Somehow once I looked in his eyes... the world around me seemed to stop moving! when that feeling was gone... I found my martial-spirit held in one hand and in the other hand his... penis!” Mia answered in a sad tune of voice which is filled with loss and despair. Then walked towards the spirit-gathering formation which is of the perfect-rank to resume her spirit-cultivation! such formation is exclusively for the saintess to use and is powered by one-hundred and eight high-grade spirit-crystals... even those spirit-crystals are no regular spirit-crystals... they’re rare high-grade spirit-crystals of the time-affinity.

"Mia don’t be sad... uh! I forgot... why am I feeling such a heavy aura of space-time energy on your body? uh!...” Xiaoxi asked while looking at the body her best-friend with these pair of wide and innocent black eyes.

“Xiaoxi has been talking about it for a while now and I thought she was seeing things, but now I can feel it too... there’s something actually on your body Mia, it appears to be a very potent aura of high-level and pure-energy, an energy which isn’t like anything I've never seen before! that energy is covering all-over your body right now... Mia don’t you feel it?” A little girl with violet-color hair which appeared and sat on the sword-hilt which is sheathed in a brown-scabbard that’s always been tied to the belt around Mia's waist... that tiny-girl looked upwards at Mia and scratched her cheek with one of her cute-sized fingers while she spoke ponderously.

“Is there really such a... bffff!...” Mia suddenly felt suffocated after someone forcefully broke the time-lock ability which she left connecting both the boy’s penis and the groin area of his body to herself! once she woke-up from that strange state of being frozen in time—to discover the truth of the unbelievable-folly which she somehow committed—the saintess quickly used the only method to preserve Lin’s organ with the ability of time-lock to stop this severed organ from getting affected by the elements of decay until the great-sage reattaches it later. The young-woman really wanted to do it herself... but Lin was really cold in his response and she never blamed him for dismissing her from his presence! before the saintess had a chance to explain to the great-sage what he should do... she saw in his eyes that the boy was pleading her with these looks to just go away... now! while coughing blood... Mia who would've never guessed that it would take less than a month for Lin to somehow forcefully-break her ability... the young-woman began thinking instead : 'But... was Lin the one who broke my ability? did he find help? if so... then I hope there wasn’t any complications, it would be awful if something happened to him, I really wronged him. He... doesn’t deserve this, but I deserve much worse from him, when we meet again... I won’t hesitate to accept his judgment.' Before she left the boy... Mia could already feel the thick energy-fusion inside his body! all this energy which belongs to her can be really lethal if the method of treatment was wrong... that’s why the saintess really never stopped worrying about the energy-fusion causing more harm to Lin.

“Mia... what’s wrong? should I go call your lord-father?” The awakened-soul of Mia's inheritance-tool asked in worry while touching the cheeks of the young-woman. Xiaomi was genuinely worried for Mia almost to the degree of being panicked... the small and violet-haired girl willingly and generously shared some of her time-energy with the saintess to check on the current condition of her owner! unlike how Kai seemed to disregard Lin whenever he’s burdened or overcome with extreme-pain... the behavior and care both of the awakened-souls gave to the two owners of the inheritance-tools is completely and extremely different.

“No need to worry my father Xiaomi, it’s that... the person I love, was able to remove the ability which I left on his body just earlier. Now... is he going to visit with the attitude of an enemy with a belly full of anger, or with the attitude of a person who’s seeking explanations from his lover! is he going to arrive at my doorsteps with opened arms... or with arms. Oh Mia... what have you done? how could you! Xiaomi, am I a... cruel person?” Mia wiped the blood on her lips in her sleeve and was suddenly in a loss after seeing the red-color on the sleeve of her violet-dress... then the saintess just broke in a crying-fit while asking the little-girl who stood on her left-shoulder! the sight of the young-woman who’s squatting and crying and burying her snotty-face in both of her palms next to the spirit-gathering formation... spoke volumes of how broken Mia’s heart currently is. The saintess was receiving consolation from a dumb and forgetful beast which isn’t really suited for this task! and an awakened-soul of a low-rank inheritance-tool... which has too little life-experience really. This sight would've made Lin forgive her a hundred times over had he seen it... but who knows? maybe it's really a good thing that the boy didn't.

......

The invisible-formation dissolved from the inner-inside of the ball of invisible-energy which covered the boy and his tamed-beast during this short and quick journey from the far north of the southern-sea to the far west of the southern-continent! afterwards that ball of invisible-energy scattered into thin air and Lin discovered that the invisible foothold which supported his weight previously suddenly vanished and the great-sage found himself and the kitten on his shoulder freefalling towards the body of water far below once it happened... the activated his spirit-wings to regain his balance by pure reflex and the pair of gold-wings appeared for the first time in the spirit-world... quite honestly Lin was amazed by how huge these wings are. Even Sun was amazed by the wingspan of his buddy... the red-tiger’s pair of bat-wings has been growing bigger and bigger during the past month and in its tiger-form the bat-wings are already huge! but the wings of the boy’s tamed-beast are still lacking a bit in length if compared to the spirit-wings of the great-sage.

“There was some shitty ability on the area of your groin... I removed it, since seeing such an abominable sight was hurting my eyes, I fixed your... "thing" because I hate having to see that time-ability, the method of performing it... is just so weak and disgusting. Just like how you currently are... tsk, such a stupid boy! it’s unbelievable... just how could he fall to such weak ability, useless!” Kai's voice rang in Lin’s head and the boy was surprised to find that his penis is back on! it’s back in its rightful-place... when the great-sage touched himself down there and felt how genuine and firm it’s attached... he sighed inwardly in relief since his body is back as a whole once again... thanks to Kai.

“I'm indebted to you once again senior Kai... is there anything that I should do before I begin my search for the camouflage clam? old Jin needs the medicinal-ingredient that’s called deep-sea's water-pearl from it.” Lin was happy and abashed after Kai took care of his troubles... meanwhile the great-sage didn’t repay the talking-raccoon with anything other than promises for the future and a torn leather-book.

“Spare me the baloney you stupid boy! I did it because I felt like it... not because I want your appreciation or gratitude, Kai... has no "eunuchs" within his ranks, that’s all... snort. If you head east from this location you'll be in pearl-harbor.” Lin smiled ruefully while experiencing for himself Kai's tongue once again... the boy didn’t mind how relentless and lashing these words hit his character like a blind-whip flying left and right! the talking-raccoon seemed like a grumpy old man who’s in a bad mood constantly... but in the end of his words Kai left his guidance which great-sage Lin appreciated... that hint is certainly a good start.

“As you command senior Kai.” Knowing very well how to deal with that sort of character... Lin didn't say anything more than what he should and spread his ability of soul-sense then began to fly east... meanwhile the sun began to rise from the horizon slowly to greet him.

.......

Inside the ring of origin.

Kai simply nodded in approval and from its expression the talking-raccoon was very satisfied after seeing how Lin didn't hum and haw like a little bitch receiving its help... this smart and quick-witted kid instantly figured-out his intentions then acted on them without wasting any time! potential-wise from its perspective... the boy is just a freak of nature walking on two small feet and hiding inside this fleshly-vessel of a barbarian-boy. Kai hesitated for a long while... whether or not should he give the great-sage any of the techniques which he have for qi-vitality to assist him with the system of body-refinement! but in the end this raccoon decided against it since it felt like Lin has had a smooth sailing in his journey within the borderless-sea of "cultivation" so far. Besides some soul-pain and slightly shocking emotional-torment with the little-girl... the boy is practically untested and inexperienced! maybe because he's too smart for his own good... which is why Kai has been taking him down a peg or two with his words to eliminate any chance for any unhealthy-thoughts of arrogance or self-confidence from ever appearing within his character. Maybe it’s his natural-affinity for the light-element which makes Lin’s emotions lean towards gentleness and warmth... however the talking-raccoon has been surprised so far after finding that this great-sage seems devoid of negativity whatsoever within the mental-aspect! after suddenly being betrayed from his travelling-companion which happened for no reason... then having his soul-source experience wicked degrees of pain and torture within a very short span of time and close intervals between each bout... the boy honestly begged for someone else’s life! Lin kneeled in front of Kai and banged his forehead sincerely against the floor while offering a lifelong servitude in-exchange for that chance. Some rare few would at least suffer some mental-instability and become slightly emotionally-numb towards friend and foe... these individuals in this example are veteran cultivators! people with a shitload of life-experience... meanwhile Lin is... a six years old kid for fuck sake! the talking-raccoon didn't want to over-spoil this boy... it wanted the great-sage to gain his fair-share of hardships on his own for a while under its judging-eyes and discreet-protection first. Before having to step-in to guide Lin to help Kai in his plans after the boy matures into a fine, honest, and strong cultivator who’s expert in fusing the energies of multi-systems! The talking-raccoon has already replayed the life of the great-sage ever since he was born using its spirit-energy which is of the dao-rank and affinity of space-time long before Lin injected his soul-force within the inheritance-tool... Kai already knows that this boy really didn’t know and doesn't have any hidden-intentions about him—ring of origin—at all... even after witnessing for himself just how formidable the talking-raccoon can be. “Kid... don't disappoint me now... don’t be like the ones before you.” Kai Muttered faintly to himself while watching Lin fly slowly east towards the west-coast of the southern-continent. After a few seconds the heavy-mood of the talking-raccoon dissipated and it went to sit on a simple wooden-chair then grabbed the torn leather-book from on-top of a short tree-stump of the deep red-color which it’s using as a table then calmly opened the leather-book which contains the instructions of how to achieve the first half of the immunity-physique. If Lin was here to see this weird scene—which weirdly fitted perfectly with the background of the forest and simplicity of natural elements—then the boy would've seen a broken white-jade next to where the torn leather-book was left on that simple table! if the great-sage attempts to join that broken white-jade with the broken white-jade which Mia gave him back then... then the two fragments of white-jade would join perfectly. However... the final fragment of this white-jade which completes it into the whole technique for spirit-cultivation... could only be found within the personal storage-tool of Andreas! the fourteenth-pope of the church of light and fastest cultivator in the whole wide spirit-world... in the flesh. Of course... even if Lin gathered the three fragments of the white-jade he... wouldn't be considered holding the complete and true prime-light technique! if it happened someday in the future... then at that time the prime-light technique could be considered as a spirit-cultivation technique of the ninth-rank or at best—after considering some points—it could be considered as a forbidden-technique of the lowest-rank. Simply because the "true" prime-light technique is said to be a spirit-cultivation technique of the "divine-rank" but for some "unknown" reason... it has fragmented long ago! now its parts and pieces are many instead of a singular-form... and they’re scattered all-over the world. Of course... dear Lin doesn't know that he's actually carrying a ticking-bomb! Kai knows the threat which the boy is under... but he intentionally left it likewise. Since it could be a test of some sort... then maybe that technique will help reveal just what kind of person great-sage Lin really is in a situation when his life is on the line! only the future would answer these suspicions to this talking-raccoon.

.......

“Hehehehe... now Mia can go to hell with her "see-through-knife sect" or whatever! I say we let her wait, just enough... until her cunt wrinkles to deformity, and her chest sags to the bellybutton like deflated balloons that is, tsk... somehow her being stood-up for a lifetime doesn’t seem enough for a payback for what she did. Sigh... we really do seem to have to go and give her an emotional and physical experience... one from the deepest layers of hell.” Ming was excited about the return of Lin's male organ and while wiggling the dick of his own soul-body up and down with his right-hand... this deadly-sin of pride suggested evilly with a wicked smile—which Lin never knew that his own face could actually make—but soon afterwards his brother seemed to hesitate about this method.

“Just tell me your decision when five years go by us from now, because until then... my worry is old Jin.” Lin shrugged and began looking everywhere with his ability of soul-sense and taking everything in these foreign-territories around him directly to memory! every ship, every island, every coral-reef below the water surface, and every clam... the boy searched for those ones which turn invisible after light falls on their colorful shells... especially those ones. Because these ones are the ones who might form the deep-sea’s water-pearl... but these ones are rare to find already... and the ones which contain a water-pearl are much more rare. According to the plans of the great-sage... he pays a visit to pearl-harbor first then from there he head for the only human-city within the west-coast of the southern-continent. Pearl-city.

Afterwards Lin began his search for the water-pearl within the water east of the western-ocean nearby the location of the western-islands... actually the boy has intentions of heading back to the western-island if he has no luck finding the water-pearl within pearl-city or pearl-harbor! when it comes to the question of... how is he going to pay for the water-pearl exactly? great-sage Lin would resort to the method of stealing the damn thing... only if he has to! because later in the future after finishing his mission and rescuing old Jin... Lin can go back and visit his victims from the past and pay them what he owes and recompense them for what he stole once he's rich enough to fulfill their demands. The boy was prepared to personally use his two hands and kill just to avenge the poor man! What’s the crime of stealing in comparison to what he intended to do before affirming the condition of old Jin back then? there’s no comparison between the two actions because one can be fixed and the other has a permanent-effect. While making sure to maintain a healthy elevation to avoid the eyes and senses of people who live in these islands or those who operate these ships which can be seen on the surface of this ocean... great-sage Lin flew slowly at an elevation of seventy kilometers high in the sky because he wasn't in a hurry to reach pearl-harbor on the southern-continent just yet. Lin took it slow and took advantage of his active-ability to eavesdrop on the ongoing conversations between the people within the range of his soul-sense! maybe he could gain a lead on the water-pearl which Jin Bao requires.

When the time reached noon.

Lin has already overheard countless conversations from countless people talking about their own matters... the only two "pearls" which were included in those words are... the "pearl" from pearl-city and the "pearl" from pearl-harbor.

“Young-master Tang Wei ... old Tao says : "all good on the horizon, everything is going as it should with the ship, he expects us to arrive within four days of time. That’s only if, the weather remains the same." that’s what old Tao said, young-master Tao Wei.” The boy heard the voice of one bulky fellow speaking while pushing the door of the best cabin in the ship below him open... that man seems to be twenty-four of age or so and was carrying a really wide and slightly long-blade on his back! he’s handsome-looking with his hair which is dark-brown in color and his shaved-beard which exposes his wide-jaw... but what really completed the picture is the scar which is below the man’s left-eye... it gave some kind of bad-boy vibe to this person.

“Don't call me by my true name... y-you oaf! what if our identities got discovered because of your silly games? y-you stupid thing, I'm warning you Liao Lai... if you cause this mission of ours to fail, I’ll really make sure that the clan-elders show you hell for the next fifty years... at least-” One fatty which is wearing all sorts and kinds of luxurious jewelry on each and every arm, finger, and toe! was draped in purple clothes and leaning on a couch within the best cabin in the ship. That fatty jumped in panic from the sturdy couch—which hardly contained the folds of fat on his body and loudly creaked which might seem as if sighing in relief after having that purple-hippo off of its body—his over-exaggerated mass of fat pounced and giggled up and down and in every direction while that Tang Wei angrily pointed a finger at the face of the rude person which just arrived.

However... the muscular blade-user in yellow-clothes just slapped the fat hand away from his face and interrupted the words of his superior while squinting his pair of sharp eyes... these eyes which have the light-green color clearly looked-down at this young-master Tang Wei! this person’s safety is his main-priority and number-one responsibility until their group reach their destination... which is at Tang-city... which is a place that’s too far from their current location. “You should really stop calling me by my true name first before throwing this shit on my face... your skin is honestly thicker than demonic-beasts to dare act this way with me, since you already know that there isn't many blade-users around my age who share the same name, it will be extremely easy to put two and two together... but luckily we’re in the middle of nowhere and not in some city and surrounded by people, had that happened then... I would’ve skinned and cut a few layers of your body for the trouble your loose-lips might’ve given me. Humph!... you’re the stupid one here... did you forget about the soul-formation which we went through a lot of trouble to make that famous formation-expert which is called ancestor-Han inscribe and integrate with the foundations of this ship itself? he personally assured us... that only soul-sense of the clone-realm or higher can pierce its protective-runes. Now... how many clones are there in the spirit-world? and how many of these seniors are actually near us? then think of it for a second... how many of them actually have time to waste on the matters of us juniors?” Lai said very confidently while sneering at this cowardly attitude from young-master Tang Wei.

But up in the sky... seventy kilometers higher above the location of the ship... Lin smiled mischievously to himself and muttered : “There's one right here Mr. Lai... your words really seized my attention there my friend, the two of you are definitely hiding something! question is... is it something important for me to know for old Jin’s sake?”

“Snort... what do you know? you know nothing about anything of the spirit-world... except maybe of how to use the blade on your back! if it wasn't for me, your young-master... working hard, and making money for our clans. Then you wouldn't be so smug about being at the eighth-stage of the spirit-grandmaster realm at the age of twenty-five... don’t forget that I'm already two years younger than you, you fool! and despite my busy work... I’m already at the seventh-stage of the grandmaster-realm, you cocky moron! so you better stop acting like some hot-shit around us all the time, just go reach the tyrant-realm first before you start swaggering around, the way you’re acting makes me worry that you wouldn't achieve it before you turn thirty, that's why I'm too embarrassed to introduce you to my clients as my personal-guard, tsk, every time I find myself saying that you’re my cousin or brother-in-law or whatever.” Tang Wei had enough of that careless attitude from Liao Lai... the fat man really couldn't wait until they arrive back within the territories of the clan or Tang-city itself! just so that he could get rid of this person which has been a pain in his ass for quite some time now... this journey already took four months from pearl-harbor and back... yet Tang Wei is already at the limits of his patience because of this blade-user.

“Working hard huh! to make fat on top of even more meat... was that what you meant? I thought that I told you a million times before... let me make it a million and one, maybe this time it’ll get through that thick-skull of yours which is filled with dreams for more wealth, my focus is... on the blade-intent and cultivating the dao of my weapon, do you understand me? not spirit-energy! figure it already... you greedy fatso. Your natural-affinity for lightning-energy is just... plain and simple yet it’s absurd how your martial-spirit works, that’s why I find it unfair to call a waste like you a fellow cultivator. Thank your luck that we found the water-pearl which can heal your great-grandfather after what we had to go through, humph... just keep eating like a pig, and keep breaking-through one sub-realm after another all you want, because as long as trash like you is within the same major-realm like me or slightly ahead... then I have no trouble at all in dicing you whenever you're confident enough to face my blade seriously.” Lai smiled in contempt while looking at Wei... then used his hand to pinch Wei's flappy chest in such a rude-gesture while speaking without care. The bulky blade-user seemed to enjoy seeing Tang Wei's face redden in shame! whenever this fat young-master stifled his anger in his presence... it satisfied this personal-guard somehow.

Meanwhile up in the sky... the boy was feeling giddy and drunk with excitement! the great-sage heard the words water-pearl ring loudly within the range of his soul-sense like the sweetest tunes of heavenly music. Instantly the majority of Lin’s soul-sense was focused on that ship below him...... besides these two men and their conversation which is comical in the way it’s underwent in a back and forth exchange between the two! nothing else around him seems to matter anymore.

“Is that... the way you speak with your young-master? y-you insolent, despicable, and revolting person! Lai I admit that you're a genius blade-user, but it saddens me when I tell you this... you're nothing! you’re nothing but a... stupid bully, a bully who’s so childish and never matures because you’re too stubborn and refuse to do so, in some way it’s pathetic and sickening for me to try and imagine what sort of fucked-up life your childhood was like... sigh! j-just get out.” After sighing... Tang Wei blamed himself for losing his temper on Liao Lai! maybe because this person is pitiful and does carry grudges... maybe because it felt bad to bring-out the past. The fat man sat back on his couch and opened a book which is about the biography of his idol to continue reading it... but he was really doing so to avoid having any sort of eye-contact with the blade-user. Even from behind the layers of paper from the opened book... Tang Wei just knew that the pair of light-green eyes must be glaring at him right now because his skin kept tingling and shivering from fear for no reason.

Liao Lai clicked his tongue after seeing this greedy, cowardly, and lazy young-master Wei avoid any sort of confrontation with him like always... this disgusting habit has been like so from this fatso ever since their junior days! however... when the blade-user was about to leave the cabin... something did happen. Lai felt a sudden restriction descend upon his body and force it into being restrained in its place by what would seem as... thin air! all the blade-user could do in this strange situation was panic in silence and move his eyes to look around him... but he really wanted to laugh when he thought of how much despair and loathing must be in the eyes of Tang Wei right now. These pair of eyes were worried indeed... however... these looks which couldn’t see beyond the book... seems to be blaming Liao Lai for being a big-mouth just earlier.

“Fear not... juniors. My intentions are not your belongings... Ming the "soul-keeper" needs not any of your "pearls" so be at ease.” Ming which was perfectly using the ability of soul-gaze which could at least triple the power of Lin's soul-force which was already powerful! caused the area ten kilometers in range where the ship is in the center... to become completely calm and motionless without waves on the surface on the water which became just like a blue-mirror reflecting the world around it which halted its movement. Tang Wei and Liao Lai plus the rest of the crewmates which are over three-hundred in count… were frozen against their will! shackled and restricted which made their hearts beat faster with fear... and their skin ooze lots of nervous-sweat which drenched their clothes in its coldness. This feeling of intimidation and fear wasn't pressuring their bodies or the martial-spirits for the few who awakened theirs! but it directly gripped their souls in a firm hold... however it didn’t feel anything close to warm or cozy... it felt extremely cold and rough... just like some sort of solid, thick, and frosty ice-walls which suddenly trapped their souls! ten seconds later... after what seemed like an eternity for these people and creatures swimming below the surface of water or above it and floating in the air... the ocean water and air-currents in the atmosphere regained their ability to move again and this ten kilometers area which just experienced a pause... was back in play! the marine-life organisms didn't hesitate to flee and scatter everywhere as fast as they could after that frightening-experience... but the birds were faster. Only the three-hundred plus of people within the ship were still in their place... the sails of their ship got buffeted by wind again and slowly but surely their method of transportation resumed its course towards the east. Still... nobody from the people on the ship talked or even dared to breathe a sigh of relief when the danger around their souls disappeared! heck... these people were afraid of breathing at all and their wary-eyes kept looking everywhere around them... searching for the cause of the previous-situation.

“T-this one happens to be Wei... Tang Wei of the Tang clan from the southern-continent’s western-region. To who do I owe the pleasure?... to who do I owe the honor of directly speaking to senior Ming? please senior, just command, command and this Wei can only dutifully obey without delay... I’ll never hesitate to risk my life and fortunes to complete my task” Despite shivering in place... Tang Wei was actually the first person to awake from his shock after being released from the shackles of the soul-gaze ability among the two people! which happened to be the only ones on the ship to hear Ming's altered-voice rattle the deepest places of their souls. Lai who was about to raise a hand towards the handle of his blade instantly received a slap on the face from Wei who glared at him with bloodshot eyes like a demon, 'This hopeless idiot!... does he wants to get us all killed? can’t he see that this senior Ming is clearly and obviously freaking able to bypass the soul-formation and listen to whatever we say with ease? can’t he see that this senior Ming is apparently and evidently freaking able to not only bypass the soul-formation but also restrain us?... and for ten whole fucking seconds! how could he already forget that this senior Ming has just introduced himself as a soul-keeper? which is two bloody major-realms above the realm of soul-clone! I swear it, this bloody idiot is really going to be the death of me someday.' While trying to show the most submissive smile of his life on his face... Wei spoke and thought while readying himself to zap this stupid fuck which is named Lai with one of his extra-charged bolts of lightning if the blade for brains dared to move any of his fingers.

“My fortune in this life... goes beyond even my own comprehension sometimes, sigh... I’m truly blessed. Listen junior-Wei... while taking my grandson out on a journey for him to train and gain some life-experience within this safe territory, my senses picked-up signs from the dao, after following these signs I discovered that there’s a hidden-realm nearby, since I can't bring my grandson with me while exploring the realm because it might endanger his life! and the probability of the hidden-realm actually being covered once again by the dao if I travelled back home to the western-continent to deliver my grandson within the safety of the family... now I find myself having to leave my sweet Lin in your safe hands until I return after exploring that hidden-realm. Don’t worry about having to look after my grandson... he's just adorable, I'm sure you'll instantly fall in love with the boy. All I ask from you is to take care of him for me until I return, I’ll find you and come take him back, when it happens... I’ll be rewarding you juniors very, very handsomely.” Ming was enjoying playing this trick on these two frightened men and spoke in his sagely-voice... meanwhile Lin was calmly studying the expressions on the face of both Wei and Lai and watching their body-language very closely for any sign of malice.

“Huh!...” Lai’s mouth was gaped wide his when he heard what this frightening senior Ming just asked from them... no scratch that! that person was commanding Wei... albeit softly in a way which is... slightly naive! maybe? but the thing which made it seem natural and honestly believable for the two men is how strong individuals like this person who’s called Ming the soul-keeper... would actually see this situation as themselves being generous enough towards their juniors and favoring them with a chance to gain from this opportunity.

“Gladly!... senior Ming, our group is heading towards Tang-city which is in-between the territory that’s north of the "Dou-empire" and south of the "Cai-empire" our journey within the southern-continent is going to begin from pearl-harbor then a short stop within pearl-city to provision and restock our supplies, afterwards our route of travel would be on land through the lone and straight pearl-road until we reach mercenary-city, after another short stop within the city our group would resume the journey straight towards the north through the land and territories of the Dou-empire until we reach our destination. That would be in-case senior Ming safely and successfully left the "hidden-realm" before we arrive... where’s young-master Lin? should we go somewhere to escort him? senior Ming... please guide this ignorant junior.” Wei was very excited to be of assistance to a... soul-keeper! his great-grandfather has already been gravely wounded in the core and sensitive areas of his soul... the primordial soul-source. That’s why the fatty has undergone countless troubles to get his hands on one rare medicinal-ingredient such as the water-pearl... once he discovered that this pearl could help his great-grandfather recover in a few years! however... with the help of a soul-keeper the situation is entirely different. Tang Wei’s great-grandfather could recover and become much better when it comes to the soul with senior Ming’s assistance... in fact... much better than he ever was before when his great-grandfather was at the peak of his spirit-cultivation! not to mention that if these two "ancients" happened to become friends... then Tang Wei's contributions for the clans would be unquestionably the greatest achievement any junior could hope for within his generation. This fatty is already formulating countless plans to pamper that boy who’s called Lin... from the direction which Tang Wei’s thoughts are heading... this man wouldn’t hesitate to park and growl if the boy asked or become the kid’s horse if Lin needed.

“No matter where you go within the spirit-world... then I can find you junior Wei, so travel however you want, because I don’t need to know your agenda, as long as you protect my Lin from the bullying of others... then it will be for the best if you don’t intervene in his matters. Of course by "bullies" I mean those overconfident seniors who don’t share his generation and senile elders who forget their place of seniority, if it’s any other junior around his age... then you have my permission to just watch and enjoy seeing Lin get beaten or struggle against those from his generation! when his life is endangered by those juniors from his generation... then just try and stop the show, if you’re able to save him... then you have my gratitude for it, if you’re not... then I won’t blame you for it, only if you gave it your best... in saving his life I mean. I left some gifts for your trouble with him... until we meet again then.” Ming winked towards Lin when he mentioned the situation where others are allowed to beat him up... meanwhile Lin answered his brother’s provocative-gesture with just a single side-glance which has a very cocky meaning to it! which is : 'Nobody within a similar age to me, can achieve what you just said... I’m just that confident in myself, alright!' But Tang Wei just felt cold when he heard the very first line of words from Ming... because it had a very simple meaning : 'Mess this up? and there’s going to be nowhere to hide within the whole world! because I can... and will... find you. No-matter where you go, I’ll.' Liao Lai almost snorted when he heard how confident this senior Ming is when it comes to the abilities of his grandson! being a person who never accepted how superior those high-born silk-pants from the stronger sects and clans treat themselves... the blade-user thought 'Humph!... let’s see then, let’s see, I just can’t wait to see for myself... just how amazing that "Lin" of yours actually is. Don’t disappoint me now.' Ming’s sagely-voice faded from the inner-areas of Wei and Lai’s souls and the transmission of his words stopped... afterwards the presence of his soul-force—which gave these two spirit-grandmasters the chills during the whole time of this short experience—completely disappeared from their senses! then Lin appeared on the ship... exactly in the center-area of the deck and nearby the cabin where Wei is staying. The boy which has appeared in front of the crewmates who operates this ship had his head raised-up towards the sky arrogantly and both of his arms were crossed behind his back! the crewmates which were taken by surprise after this sudden arrival from the great-sage... nervously became on-guard and their eyes collectively looked towards a single person... these people seemed to be waiting for their boss to give commands or instructions while thinking : 'Should they attack this boy? or... should they protect young-master Wei instead?' The man these crewmates were looking at was a sharp-eyed man who has yellow-eyes which made appear similar to a hawk especially with his hooked nose which resembles a bird’s beak! his skin of the brown-color and his arms, legs, and fingers! both tall and lengthy... his head is full of short grey-black hair and from his jaw extends a long and thick beard which is of the same color. That tall man who’s wearing a black and dark-green robe... kept his eyes focused on great-sage Lin ever since he saw him arrive on the deck of the ship and ignored the matter of giving commands or leading his own crew! of course this man didn't fail to notice the beast on the boy’s shoulder.

“I'm taking-over this ship. So!... who wants to be number one?” Lin said in a slightly loud voice... just to make sure both Wei and Lai could hear him from within the cabin.

While the crewmates gawked at this bold and really unexpected statement from the kid who just arrived and have a pair of strange eyes... the eyes of this little-boy are golden in color! that’s an eye-color which they haven’t seen before on anyone else... this kid is wearing a yellow robe which seems quite big for his size. Besides the ring on his finger—which these people are sure that it’s a space-ring of quite a high-rank—this gentle-looking boy... has nothing on his person to frighten or intimidate these battle-hardened sailors who met and fended against the attacks of many pirates-ships before.

“What the heck! where did this little shi-” One sailor began to speak but he got kicked in the back midway of his words... that person flew all the way until he found himself flying outside the ship and his body made a huge splash when it met the surface of the water! once the words of their crewmate were cut off against his will... the rest of the crewmates found their laughter—which was about to escape their throats—stop in the middle of their windpipes and the result was that the majority of them were... choking! while coughing... these crewmates watched in disbelief how their young-master Wei quickly wiggled all that fat which is all-over on his body as he led Lai—the bully—towards the boy with a very greasy and very wide smile on his face. These crewmates just couldn’t believe the amount of respect their young-master Wei was revealing... to meet Lin! two more men joined the tall and hawk-like man who’s wearing black and dark-green robe to stand next to Lai behind Wei in front of great-sage Lin.

“Hello!... you must be young-master Lin, welcome, welcome... my name is Tang Wei, this man here is Liao Lai, he’s my personal-guard... you can already see that he’s a blade-user and a master of the dao weapons! you’re welcome to learn from him if you feel like it. This elder here is Peng Tao, he’s our navigator, and the commander of the entire crew within this ship! you’re welcome to ask him for anything that you require... if it’s within the ship or can be caught from the water, then he’s certainly going to provide it as soon as possible. This strong man here is Wang Zhang, he’s strong like I said before and a good friend... my journeys outside the clan territories should never lack such a dependable-companion. Finally... this handsome-devil here is Zhang Wang, he isn’t extremely strong or good with the blade or a fine leader of men! but he’s smart enough to notice things which I don’t, having someone to help think things through is a great help. Your grandfather... senior Ming, he ordered us to keep you safe, that’s why we’re going to do our best to keep your days fun from now on.” Tang Wei introduced his friends then turned to glare at the man who just climbed his way back on the ship... that sailor was standing on the deck near the edge and wringing his clothes from the ocean’s saltwater! but he felt aggrieved because the person who kicked him was the same person which he was trying to protect in the first place.

“So... to sum it all up, this group should be like this. One fatso... one idiot... one geezer... one fool... and one dandy,” Lin smirked at how their eyes dilated after every time he pointed at one of their faces and called them name he’s giving that person, “I said that I'm... taking-over this ship, since there's too many of you here, I just don’t feel like deciding which of you is... going to be my number-one minion.” The boy finished his words then scratched Sun's head and gave these five men in front of him a fleeting-gaze of disinterest... then the same evil look—which Ming did before—was the expression that the great-sage revealed on his face. Lin wanted to push the buttons of these people! just so that he could be able to see... what would these people do? if they forgot themselves—which is unlikely to happen... especially after Ming demonstrated the powers of an imaginary-grandpa—at least their intentions would be exposed early on. If these people have any evil-intentions they shouldn’t be revealed until much later... when they begin to think that they're safe from any kind of retaliation from his "imaginary-grandfather" that’s why he has to reveal some of his strength to be a deterrent against evil. This reveal of his ability can be used like bait which the boy can dangle and use it to help him expose those who wish him harm from within this group. However... to achieve his goals the great-sage has to keep making these people off-balance! while the previous shock hasn't wore-off yet... Lin has to know and understand this point. Just what kind of people are these people? if they turned-out to be nothing but a huge disappointment in the end... then he’s going to directly force Tang Wei to hand-over the water-pearl before the boy goes to search for the next item on the list.

“Did this boy... call me a fool just now? Wang... I saw him point at my face and say that I'm a fool, Zhang is no fool, Zhang is just simple and kind! simple is good, kind is much better. This isn’t me bullying the weak, this is just me teaching him a lesson for calling me names.” The muscular man who has a very wide torso and a neutral-expression on his face before... suddenly buffed-out his chest and flexed the great muscles on his arms and shoulders but he seemed to take quite some time to understand that he was just insulted judging from the way he spoke to the handsome man next to him! then his face reddened and his oxen eyes widened while he impatiently asked the handsome man who’s next to him... the muscular man was clearly waiting for this friend of his to clarify this situation for him.

“Oh boy!” Before the handsome man who’s called Zhang Wang even got a chance to twist the facts in any sort of explanation for the strong man who’s called Wang Zhang... his best-friend who’s simple in the eyes of many people yet could instantly read the feelings and expression of his friends after a single exchange of eye-contact or smile! Zhang did it again and understood that his best-friend Wang hesitated to answer because he didn’t want to lie to him... during the short moment of his hesitation Wang saw Zhang take long and strong strides directly towards this boy who’s called Lin. Once Zhang arrived in front of the little kid... he extended one of huge arms forward and opened the rough-looking fingers of that hand to grab the shoulder of this Lin! Zhang Wang face-palmed first then shrugged towards Tang Wei... the only person in this group of five who felt like he just swallowed some poisonous-bug. Tang Wei who was previously building rosy-dreams within his imagination... of how his ancestor would build quite a strong and firm friendship with senior Ming in the future after the two meet! meanwhile—within the dreams and fantasies—this very cute-looking yet extremely foul-tongued Lin would greet him by calling Tang Wei big brother and join him in an excited journey where they listen to the teachings of their seniors... and accumulate great amounts of resources and became two powerhouses of this era. But... Lin spoke and smashed that sweet-image in his dreams with these words! then the situation quickly escalated when Zhang the "simpleton" directly went towards the boy like a stubborn ox... since this entirely and completely "unreliable" person is certainly going to beat this "adorable" Lin on their first meet-... Just then in that moment... Wei's string of thoughts was rudely stopped and the fatty couldn’t even believe what he’s seeing when he watched the individual which has the highest rank of both stamina and strength... getting raised in the air like a child... by a child! then tossed like twig towards the main mast of the ship... upside-down! “Crash!...” Everyone... including Wang Zhang himself—who remained in his upside-down position after crashing back to the floor and hitting his head! but his extremely thick neck effortlessly supported the full-weight of his heavy body—they were all looking at Zhang’s huge and intimidating body... then blinking! then twisting their necks to look at Lin’s small and cute body which seems weak and some rough wind might simply blow it away... then blinking! then exchanging eye-contact with one another... then looking back to make sure that this isn't some kind of dream... then blinking again! just to make sure.

“If no-one wants to take the honor of being my number-one minion, then this... fool, will take it, you'll all regret it if this train left the station, hurry-up people.” Finally the words coming from the boy’s mouth awoke the gathering of daydreaming spectators.

“Fuck! who's this brat?” Zhang Wang pushed one of his stray locks of hair back in its place and asked Wei while feeling shock! simply because Wang has never... ever seen anyone from their own generation handle the great physical-strength of Zhang that easily... say nothing of anyone much younger. Being his best-friend since their tender years of childhood... and because both of their clans actually being closer to one another much more than how the Peng and Liao clans are to one another. The loyalty of their Wang and Zhang to the Wei clan is unquestionable and undeniable... however! the special-bond between the Zhang’s and Wang’s run much deeper. Wang knows just how strong Zhang has always been naturally from way back in the years and the simple man grew stronger and gained more after training his physique! yes... Zhang was obviously holding back earlier because he never used spirit-energy. But... this person’s physical-power is insane on its own... yet Lin just extended his shorter arm out to meet Zhang's huge arm midway and once it happened the boy’s body wasn’t pushed back like they expected! then this kid just twisted his waist slightly and raised Zhang up in the air with single fluid motion... what followed next was a quick turn in the air for the big-guy before Lin tossed him towards the main-mast like nothing. Everything that happened was quick because there was no pause in the motions from the moment they began until they ended... what makes the feat unbelievable for these people who acted the part of an amazed audience and the victim of this action himself... is how the boy did everything effortlessly! he didn’t even take a single step outside a small circle from where he stood in the beginning... between cultivators this means that the skills and abilities of one side is way beyond the other party.

“His grandfather trusted us with the kid’s safety until he returns from journey to somewhere which might endanger the boy, just don't ask anymore because we don’t know much ourselves, but always make sure to maintain your calm around Lin... whatever happens from him we all should hold it in... and endure!” Liao Lai said after stifling a smile from sprouting on his face after seeing this sight of Zhang embarrassing himself in front of the crewmates... simpleton-Zhang can be stubborn indeed! if he marked Lai laughing at him then he would force the blade-user into becoming his sparring partner... whenever it happened before... that situation would mostly end-up with Lai burning-out sooner than Zhang who completes the job by beating him up while the encouraging words of Wang would fuel his best-friend to trample the self-esteem of this unfortunate bully who gets to experience what it feels to be bullied. But deep inside... Liao Lai was shocked after witnessing how amazing this grandson of that senior Ming has turned-out to be someone completely out of his league! if both himself and this boy were of the same age? then honestly Lai would do his best to avoid any sort of confrontation with this monster.

“Only an idiot... this wise-facade really doesn't suit your ugly-mug, how about you be my number-one minion instead?” After shrugging and shaking his head Lin continued to speak, “I promise to help you grow some social-intelligence, and improve the way your brain works within that thick skull of yours. Let me take a wild-guess and you can always correct me if I’m wrong... uh-uh! I wasn’t talking to you... idiot, I’m talking to everyone else on the ship, You’re... a bully! simplifying it would be... someone who fears the mighty and oppress the weak, am I right? everyone, heh... just like I expected. Now... let's see just how long can you hold it... in.” After hearing these words from this arrogant boy... the word "imbecile" was the one within the thoughts of Lai! but no matter how much the blade-user wanted to retort these words and defend his reputation within the ship... whenever he attempted to answer this brat... Lai would see the looks within the eyes of the crewmates around him! and the words would end-up clogging his throat. Some of the crewmates were gasping for air or biting hard on their tongue to stop themselves from laughing in this situation... otherwise boss Lai would explode in their faces instead. However almost all of them felt respect for this demonic-kid’s courage... he really have a way with words which makes the receiver on the other end feel like spitting blood. “Oh... come-on! why don’t you tell me then... why am I not hearing anything from these people? why there’s no-one from your friends defending you? because what I saw deep inside your eyes, from the moment we met each other is... a pitiful bully... do you know what kind of animal behave like bullies? a rabid dog. That’s why I’ll help you in this difficult situation, what if?... we consider this moment in this way, you... being the senior and older individual between the two of us, are going to teach me... being the junior and younger individual between the two of us... to respect his seniors! yes... that's the spirit, this glow in your eyes... just says it all. Once a bully always a bully... until the stick of the strong breaks your spine—which is not-so-tough—and fix your bad habits.” While smirking like the reincarnation of Beelzebub himself... Lin kept enticing, embarrassing, and provoking Lai with his words! just so that this blade-user would make his move. During this time Zhang got-up and stood on his feet but the muscular and honest man kept looking down at his right-hand while wondering if it’s the same hand which strongly broke opponents with force before... but earlier that same hand failed to push or raise a small kid up! some feelings of doubt started to appear within the chest of the simple man... for the first time ever Zhang didn’t feel confident in the strength of his physique.

“You'll regret not using your blade,” Lin said but the blade-user just snorted in reply and quickly crossed the distance separating them in a single step, “Suit yourself then... now off you go.” The boy shrugged then completed his words while avoiding a strike from Lai’s left-hand—who’s clearly infuriated—that strike was aimed at the great-sage’s neck from the right-side in a method which is similar to a karate’s chop! by twisting his torso after pivoting with his left-foot the twisting-momentum was released once Lin’s left-hand held Lai's left-wrist... then quickly afterwards Lin’s right-hand snaked itself upwards and supported Lai’s right elbow before he dragged this weight from his back and above his shoulders then judo-slammed the blade-user head first into the canvas without showing mercy. The ship's wooden-deck groaned under the pressure of that force... this time the motions from Lin were a lot faster than before... which made it hard for people to notice what he did! but those who did—like Peng Tao for example—were amazed by the boy's ability to instantly figure a way to counter the techniques from his opponents. Liao Lai got up from the floor and held his bruised head with one hand and was feeling much cooler and calmer in the head... and a lot more colder in his chest because this little brat did counter his move flawlessly! for a moment there... the blade-user did indeed lose consciousness. Of course that’s because Liao Lai wasn’t using any spirit-energy to protect his body from the very beginning and there wasn’t any time for him to activate his spirit-energy once he fell into a disadvantageous-situation! but the kid didn't use any of his powers except his physical-strength... which is making Lai look even weaker than a... kid. Seeing the glare on Tang Wei's face which mentally-threatened to fuck-up the rest of Lai’s life if he dares go any further in this embarrassing circus-show... Liao Lai just massaged the lump on his head while mumbling nonsense to himself! however... he still backed-off and decided against confronting Lin once again.

“You... yes you, what was your name again? oh!... I remember now, it’s dandy!... care for some pedicure and manicure? no? then how about a massage to release some stiff knots? still no! want a facial-wash for your skin? is that a wrinkle? there under his left eye! guys... do you see it? oh-no! pardon my weak vision... don’t worry dandy, it’s just a vein, guys look!... it's throbbing!... grandpa dandy... are you okay? you don’t look okay to me. Heh... about time.” Lin was exaggerating his expressions and after each word he said the breathing of that handsome man who’s called Wang would quicken... this time the crewmates were laughing uproariously at each line they heard from Lin. Unlike how these people feared Lai's strictness and narrow-minded-ness or Zhang's simplemindedness... their handsome Wang has long since been the favorite amongst the five cultivators on the ship! because of his cheerful personality and social-character... Wand joined them on their activities and these crewmates are used to making fun of each other daily and regularly. When these people saw this little-devil corner him with his barrage of words... and Wang obviously taking great damage from them! the crewmates were gasping for breath after laughing too much while happy tears of laughter escaped their eyes against their will. These people felt their knees becoming weaker whenever Lin asked them for their opinions then quickly corrected himself while faking how sorry he’s feeling for causing an embarrassment to their shining-star before making fun of him again which stole their breath and made them laugh so much until their sides hurt after seeing Zhang Wang glare at them to stop laughing already.

Unlike the method which Zhang and Lai used to confront Lin... Wang feinted attack then circled towards the boy's blind-spot which is behind his back! which made the great-sage think : 'At last someone is using his head on this ship... but this isn't enough to force me into taking him seriously, this one doesn’t want to fight with me at all, yet he doesn’t want the fight to end quickly! just to save some of his face... he’s willing to do everything, truly a dandy.' Lin smirked and bent his upper-body forward and to the right to escape the attack of an open palm to the back of his head... meanwhile his left-leg was instantly spread to the side and upwards then after another twist from his waist—which Lin took advantage of its motion to force his chest into facing the sky—his left-leg was snapped backwards and downwards... the joint of his left-knee was used like a hook to catch Wang’s left-palm and the downward-motion of the boy’s left-leg dragged it forward before the motion of the extended arm began to retract! now Lin is forcing Wang to not only lean forward and downward—towards the right-side for Wang and the left-side for the boy—but also successfully restrained one of the arms of this handsome-man while using one of his legs... a single move disrupted the balance of this man and forced him to tilt towards the right which left the left-side of his body completely open to the great-sage. Add to that how the head of Wang was completely within the reach hands of Lin... who flicked Wang—the handsome yet stunned into confusion man—on the forehead! for Wang it felt like getting hit with a hammer directly on the forehead... and the handsome-man found-out that his butt is already touching the ground once the fireworks stopped happening within his eyes. Meanwhile dizziness—which began rattling his brain—made it hard for Wang to stand up right away.

“If there's no-one else... this minion will receive the position of number-one minion.” Lin said carelessly after shrugging his shoulders once towards Wang.

“Whoa!...”

“Fuck me... did you see that?”

“Haha... look at Wang's face! bffft... this expression on his face, I bet that there’s some insane amount of "what the fucks" going all over his head right now.”

“What did the boy do to him? I couldn’t see anything!... damn it, I missed it.”

“He flicked him!... see that area there in the middle of Wang’s forehead? that’s where the boy delivered his strike, he just papaw and boom! then dropped Wang flat on his ass and to the floor, honestly... this is by far, the most hilarious shit I've ever seen in my life.”

The crewmates completely disregarded the glowering glares from Wang and debated between themselves on the action which they got to see... some of them even whispered softly about how the fights of Zhang and Lai weren’t actually any less funny! then cackled to themselves while idolizing Lin as the coolest kid they ever seen.