Chapter 1071 Shattered
Elder Ricci, although his injury forced him to fall from the 2nd grade ranks into the 4th, he was once a genuine 2nd grade expert. As for Elder Nova, he was a legitimate 2nd grade expert right now, making him the most powerful local of this 98th quadrant.
That said, the reasons Elder Ricci looked toward Elder Nova were different from the reasons Elder Nova looked toward Elder Ricci.
While Elder Ricci had a shocked expression on his face that stemmed from him thinking he had no equal in this universe, Elder Nova's expression was more playful, as though he was teasing the former.
One had to understand that becoming a 2nd grade celestial wasn't easy. The both of them would count as talents worthy of being groomed even for quadrants ranked in the 30s and 40s. They would also be invaluable assets to quadrants ranked in the 20s as well. It wasn't until you reached the 10s that 2nd grade experts became ubiquitous.
These two had no business appearing in a 98th ranked quadrant.
In the end, Elder Ricci spoke first. "I was born in this universe, however, unlike others, I risked my life in the tower for hundreds of years instead of coming back. It was there I met my blood brothers and my wife who helped me along my journey.
"The reason I was able to become a 2nd grade celestial is because one of my rewards when I took my Marquis trials was a pill that healed my crippled soul. It was only because of that healing that I then felt confident enough to take my Duke, and then my King trials. Although it took me centuries to complete those King trials, the rewards I received were more than enough to propel me forward.
"I never had any intention of coming back because I planned to settle in with my wife's clan. However, my wife was taken from me and I became heavily injured. So, I had no choice but to come back home."
Although Elder Ricci was describing his life story, he seemed abnormally cold and distant, as though it wasn't his story at all. It was obvious to anyone listening that he was completely detached and unwilling to remember the past.
However, that was only until he heard the words Dyon responded with.
"Swear allegiance to me and I can promise that not only will you have your wife in your arms within two months – should she be alive, of course – but you'll also be healed completely in that time."
The former Master trembled in the air. Even Violet couldn't help but look up with a shocked expression on her face.
The Ricci family was once among the four up and coming families, which was why Elder Ricci was able to crippled his soul at his birth and thus avoid detection from The Cathedral.
However, due to the intense competition, while Elder Ricci was away, his family was eaten up by the vicious families in its surroundings.
When he finally came back with his daughter, it was already too late to do anything. That said, even if he could have, it was unlikely that Elder Ricci would have acted.
Why? Because he blamed his family for its stupidity. Had his soul not been crippled, he would have never advanced to sainthood at the mere 11th essence gathering stage.
If he had advanced to the 12th stage first, he would have at least had a chance to become a first-grade celestial instead of a mere 2nd grade one.
Had he been a mighty first grade celestial, saving his wife wouldn't have been a dream. He could have actually done it.
So, Elder Ricci resented his family as much as Donari resented his. Except, unlike Donari who now had a chance to reach the 12th essence gathering stage, Elder Ricci's opportunity was gone.
But, now, someone had relit that hope. He no longer cared about becoming a legendary first grade celestial, as long as his wife could be saved, he was willing to die right here if need be.
His emotions swirled out of control, causing everyone below to be shocked as they watched a once mighty celestial who could sweep through their universe uncontested breakdown to the point of tears.
He didn't for a moment believe that Dyon couldn't accomplish what he said he would. Although Dyon's strength was nowhere near enough to fight against that clan alone, with his soul strength, infiltrating and saving just one person should be easy. In fact, that clan might happily hand his wife over as long as Dyon exposed his identity just so that they wouldn't become the enemy of a True God.
"You?" Although the former master tried to control his emotions, the tears wouldn't stop.
Unlike others, he was perfectly aware of the ways of the martial world. Dyon had plenty of ways to force him to submit that didn't require him going on this dangerous mission. One of which included simply imprisoning Violet.
If Dyon decided to do that, how could this weakened former master stop him? He would have no choice but to listen to Dyon for the sake of his daughter's life.
Yet, Dyon directly went for the choice that would make him loyal willingly. It made his personality as a leader clear for all to see.
At that moment, a pill appeared in Dyon's hand. It was none other than the very last of three top tier healing pills that he had. Despite its value, he directly tossed it to Violet's father.
"Take it. I want you to show everyone the strength of the soul path. I want them to understand that had it not been for a genius alchemist of the soul path, it would have been impossible for your power to restore itself."
The former master's eyes burned with passion as he took the pill with little hesitation.
The crowd could only hold their breath as they watched a shocking scene take place.
Marco Ricci, who had been pale and skinny beyond compare began to radiate outward with a domineering aura.
His frame began to slowly fill out as his eyes brightened. His chest that was still partially caved in from Dyon's fist crackled and shifted, once more becoming whole. Even his wills began to imperceptibly flicker in and out of existence, causing his pitiful third intent stage sword qi to climb upward, entering the fourth, fifth, then finally sixth stage.
His aura gained the sharp visage of swordsman and his hunched back once more became straight.
The former master could even feel his shattered meridians once more re-forging themselves, become stronger and sturdier than ever before.
His cultivation that had fallen from the middle celestial ranks to the lower began to climb once more, and although he didn't manage to once again reach the middle stage, he did reach the peak of the 3rd celestial stage, making him only a step away from gaining his former power. With a few months of cultivation, it was almost guaranteed that he would once more improve.
The only person who wasn't surprised was Dyon. After all, he knew that the pill was created to help lower celestials recover in an instant. It could even fully heal Dyon who had a celestial body in a mere moment. Plus, it was ridiculously expensive. If it couldn't help the former master out, it was truly be too wasteful.
However, what didn't surprise anyone was when the master fell to his knees in the sky, bowing his head to Dyon to show his utmost appreciation. Although he wanted to beg Dyon to also heal his long time friend Aldo, his skin was nowhere near thick enough to do this.
Dyon sighed and helped Elder Ricci up. "I don't do things for free." He suddenly said. "Your friend wouldn't have been injured had he not attacked me, so he must pay the price for that. If he wants to be healed, he needs to give something of equivalent value."
Although Elder Ricci bitterly smiled at this, he couldn't say anything in response. For him to be healed, he swore allegiance, but how could the heir of an Emperor God Clan do the same? In the end, he could only let it be.
After everything was handled, everyone's gaze couldn't help but turn toward Elder Nova. Just what was his story? Could it be similar to Elder Ricci's? Dyon's gaze was no exception.
Under everyone's questioning gaze, Elder Ricci's smile never faded… Instead, his aura began to climb, shattering through the middle celestial barrier… to the higher… then the peak… all before Dyon's concealment array shattered to pieces as the momentum of a dao formation expert was birthed into the world…