Chapter 165 - Choosing Their Own Paths
Next time Krune reunited with everyone, he told them about the Perfect Core Formation Realm breakthrough. But he also said that there was nothing he could do for them about that. Shinja and Yusa didn't seem to care, though.
"That's not a problem, if it is meant to be, we will get those treasures you talked about, if not, then forget it. In the end, the number of cultivators or demon beasts that can try something like that is even lower than the number of Major Core Owners, so there is nothing to be sad about."
Ao, Tasier, and Lofa also didn't seem to care. That is Krune's luck for being accepted as the Sect Master disciple, and they are very happy to be accepted into the Divine Path Sect already.
The only one that seemed to be pondering about it is Arlan himself. He then looked at Krune and asked.
"You said that there is also the Intermediate and advanced breakthrough. Doesn't it mean that although a perfect one isn't possible, I can still try an intermediate or advanced one?"
Krune looked at Arlan and then said.
"There are three things to pay attention to. First, is the fact that you will need Elemental Source Energy to compact the Soul. Second, you will need to resist the pain of having your Soul further damaged. Third, and this is the most difficult. You don't have an Awareness Moving Pill, so can your conscience survive the removal of 20% or more of your Soul?"
Arlan went quiet after hearing that. The Elemental Source Energy should be possible for him since he has a Foundation Strong enough to support nine Spiritual Energy Meridians at the Foundation Establishment Realm. That means that he can try to evolve his own Meridians before breaking through. He is also confident that he can resist the pain of having even more of his Soul being removed.
But the third issue isn't something he can deal with. A pill that even the Divine Path Sect can't concoct is not something that he can acquire. Even if the Sect could, there is no way he would ever be able to afford such a thing. And although Krune hasn't mentioned, there is also another issue, he will need even more Soul Healing Pills to recover from such damage during the breakthrough.
"But, 20% should still be possible, no?"
Krune shook his head.
"I don't know. But you should consider if it is really worth the risk. According to Master, the difference between fundamental and advanced isn't that big to start with. Only when you achieve a perfect breakthrough will the difference worth it. Remember that I will only do it because of the things Master gave me. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't try such a dangerous thing."
Arlan nodded and decided to give it some extra thought.
Krune had already said he won't intervene and won't help with it either. He plans to do as his Master spoke. He won't make any over moves anymore so that everyone can build their own path. They have all entered in the Divine Path Sect, so from now on, it is up to them what they can achieve or not.
After chatting for a little longer, Shinja decided to tell them another thing.
"My Master will be taking her disciples for a special training course outside the Sect, and according to her, it will take quite a few years. She gave all her disciples a choice of whether to go or not, but she will be going regardless of what we decide since it is also for the sake of her cultivation. All her disciples have Water as the main specialized Element, and so does she, so I also decided that I will be going."
Yusa and Lofa heard that and seemed a little sad, but they soon shook their heads and agreed with Shinja's decision.
"You are doing the right thing. Your Master is a Blue Luan, wherever she is going to train, it is bound to be a fantastic place for Water Element users. So don't worry about anything else, you should go."
Krune and Ao just smiled, it is already time that everyone will forge their own paths.
Ao then said.
"I will also be leaving for some missions, it has been over a month since I joined the Sect and I learned a lot from Master. I want to ponder and temper all the new knowledge I've got so far. Also, I don't want to fall behind at all!"
Arlan then put his arm around Ao's shoulder and said.
"In fact, it is the two of us who are going. We have decided it already, and we are going to check out the missions around the Furani Region."
Krune was puzzled, though.
"What is this Furani Region?"
Ao then explained.
"It is a place with a lot of battles going around. From what I heard from Master, the Sect doesn't intervene because it turned into a place quite good for tempering one's ability. We thought that it would be better for us to go there and practice a little more before entering the Core Formation Realm. We are very young, after all. There is no need to hurry."
Krune nodded, hastiness is the enemy of perfection. Krune thinks that their idea is quite good.
As for Yusa, Lofa, and Tasier, they don't have masters, so what they learned so far were the things available for the disciples of the Outer and Inner Sect.
Lofa and Tasier decided to not leave for the time being. First, they are focusing on creating the nine Pseudo Meridians. Second, they are the ones with the least experience at using the Spiritual Energy Meridians. They don't even have it yet, so they want to practice with it around the Sect when they open them.
As for Yusa, she got an idea after what she heard from Ao and Arlan.
"As you know, I'm mostly focused on support than attacks, what about I go with you two? I won't intervene with the fights and only give support when necessary."
Arlan and Ao looked at each other and nodded. They know how good she is at support, so it would be a good thing to have her in case things go south.
Krune looked at that and let out a sigh of relief.
'Everyone is looking for their own paths now, it seems like that the group travels will get less and less frequent. But that is also good, I can hold by myself, and so can everyone else.'
Krune then thought about another thing.
"Oh, right! What happened with Joty? I haven't seen him ever since the end of the Divine Path Sect Entrance Exam."
Arlan was the one to answer that question.
"He sent me a message a day after the end of the test. He said that his Master would be bringing him away from the Sect for the time being to help him awaken his bloodline. As for what this bloodline is, where he went, or what he's gonna do, he didn't tell in the message."
Everyone nodded, they were already expecting that something was different about Joty, and the fact that he was accepted as the disciple of a Legacy Elder is the proof of it. It might take some time until they hear about him again.
Krune then showed a happy expression and said.
"Since the majority is going to leave for some time, today I will prepare a banquet for everyone. Let's eat and drink to our heart's content."
The moment he said that, the ghost Master once more appeared by his side while expressing his opinion.
"Good, I want Flow Crow Egg Soup."
Krune, once again, jumped out of fright.
"You- You! How many times are you going to do that? Besides, what is it with this habit of listening to the others' conversation?"
Lucio showed a puzzled expression and said.
"What you talking about? I literally just arrived, and all that I heard is that you are making food."
Krune's mouth twitched, he obviously didn't believe it, but he wasn't sure if it was a lie either.
"Whatever, it's not like there is any big secret either. Go take a seat while I prepare everything. By the way, as the Sect Master, don't you have anyone to prepare food for you, especially ones with a lot of treasures and all of that?"
Lucio then said.
"I can have it if I want, but it is not the same as having your disciple cook for you. After all, I can't possibly be the only one giving a lot and not receiving anything back, right?"
Krune wanted to say that it was he who forced this Master-Disciple relationship but soon gave up the idea. Chances are that he will get even angrier. Besides, it's not like he hasn't cooked for more people and demon beasts before either.
As for everyone else, they already gave up trying to understand what this all-powerful man is trying to do anyway.
Later that night, Krune called Lakin and Ruik over.
"How has the wisps and demon beats training going?"
Ruik immediately answered.
"The demon beats and wisps are using the training equipment of the Rainbow Sect as planned. According to what you said, we only let them have access to the Soul Techniques after the clear the first tests. As for Legacy Disciple Techniques, only Lakin has cleared the test so far. To be honest, I don't think I will be able to clear it even with the Spiritual Energy Meridians' help. The Soul is not my specialty, after all."
Lakin then said.
"Ruik is right, Master. The other demon beasts had also just barely passed the first tests, and that was after they finished the Soul Tempering. Shinja and the others also tried the Legacy Disciple tests, but they also fell short. Shinja was quite close, but in the end, she also failed."
Krune nodded, it wasn't like he wasn't expecting for it.
"It is okay, just keep following the rules that Hasik had stated. I believe he had a reason not to let anyone who hasn't cleared the Legacy Disciple test to check those Soul Techniques. Not to mention that I promised him that I would follow the rules."
Krune then looked at Ruik and Lakin and said.
"From now on, I will leave everything related to the equipment in the pocket dimension up to you two. You can select other wisps or demon beasts to help with that as well if you want. Only call me if it is something really important. Otherwise, I trust your judgement regarding this issue. I won't be able to care for so many things at the same time anymore, so I better deal with it now."
Lakin and Ruik looked at each other and then nodded.
"No problem, we are not disciples of the Divine Path Sect, so we have more time available."
Krune nodded and then said.
"That correct, but remember that menial Disciples also have the right to take some simple missions. Don't forget that, depending on the results, even joining the Outer Sect isn't out of the question."
Lakin and Ruik nodded once more. They had already inquired about everything that Menial Disciples like them can and can't do.
Krune then spent some time with Lakin to help him with his training and then went back to cultivate. He intends to enter the Core Formation Realm before leaving the Sect for any reason.