Chapter 353: Essence of the Blood
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Yuan was made Lord over his plot of land! He could command ministers, collect taxes and even set up an army!
To Fang Yuan, the process of making him a Lord felt more similar to the western version of being knighted.
As time passed, history had shown that the kings would slowly lose power. Finally, it would only be a status.
In the west, they could truly knight someone and confer him all that he deserved. However, in the east, power was everything!
However, now, Fang Yuan not only had power, but land and even riches as well!
He would be considered to have attained a high status among the people of this realm for going this far, and even had the potential to start his own country!
'Both Elder and I are not from this realm. Therefore, we would not pay as much attention to all of these. I'm sure that Elder is intending to make use of me...'
This was only an excuse for Fang Yuan to remain in Xia Country. As soon as he left the palace, he told Wei about what happened.
The young lady opened her eyes wide. "Yuan... you are now the Lord of Xia Country? Does that mean you are not returning to the division anymore?"
"Yeah, I'm not going back!"
Fang Yuan gazed afar. "Look at all these... This place is prosperous and is the heart of this world! I've decided to stay in the Xia Tribe and make a name for myself!"
He now seemed like a greedy person who would abandon his home and his people for riches.
"Alright!"
Wei clapped her hands. "I like this place too. Let's stay here!"
"... Cough cough..."
...
Although Fang Yuan was declared a lord, he had to go through a ceremony of sorts, even if it was a simple one.
At the very least, a simple ceremony was still required.
Furthermore, he had other rewards which he sent some servants to collect for him.
There were servants in this era! There were still cruel people outside of Xia Country who would bring all their servants to their graves after their death. The more servants, the more prestigious the person would be!
In an instant, there were representations of both civilised and barbaric practices.
With the status of a lord, Fang Yuan was directly under the command of King Xi and did not have to worry about where to stay.
Furthermore, during the night, Fang Yuan would be required to secretly pay a visit to the Elder of the Realm Alliance and the other dream masters of the Realm Alliance.
"Ahh... I have no idea if the people in Fang Mountain are wealthy or not, and I am clueless as to how many people reside in the mountain!"
Beside him, Wei childishly started to count using her fingers, which amused Fang Yuan.
...
It was nightfall.
Fang Yuan woke up, silently left his house and arrived at the palace.
"Greetings, Elder!"
The white palace was empty and the guards who were supposed to be guarding the doors fainted.
King Xi sat on the throne, similar to how he did in the daytime. However, this time, there were a few dream masters from the Realm Alliance around him.
Although there were fewer people now, the spiritual aura in the surroundings felt much more threatening.
"Fang Yuan?"
King Xi smiled. "You are indeed the talent of our alliance. I am Xi Chen. These few dream masters are Dan Ju, Wu Li and Song Cai... you all will get along in the future!"
The Realm Alliance had invaded countless realms. To think that in this Ancient Realm, there would be a dream master in the 7th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage and a few other 4th Tier Illusionary Divine dream masters showed the importance of this realm.
Of course, there could be other dream masters in the Illusionary Divine stage. However, their statuses were too lowly and thus, they did not have the rights to join in this conversation.
"Yes, Sir!"
In front of his elder, Fang Yuan and the few other dream masters could only pay their greetings.
"Fang Yuan, please describe what you previously said, but in more detail!"
Fang Yuan started to mention the details regarding the Tortoise Mountain.
"Based on what you have said, the Hidden Dragon Guards are plotting for something big here. We must be on our guards!"
Elder Xi Chen appeared solemn. "Although our Sage has already gotten control of the people dao in this realm, he has mentioned before that the source of energy in this realm is extremely concentrated. There might even be changes in the future. If we can succeed, then this would be the best opportunity to explore and understand the heavenly dao!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The other dream masters agreed and Fang Yuan was lost in his own thoughts. 'Heavenly dao... could this be the path after attaining the Prominent Divine stage?'
The means of cultivation in Da Qian was split into spiritual and martial arts. In terms of martial arts, martial artists would have to go through the 12th Golden Gates before obtaining elemental force as a Wu Zong. From there, they could further advance to form the 9th Meridian and form the Divine Body, thus entering the realm of True Divine.
As for spiritual knights, cultivators would have to begin as a spiritual disciple before they would obtain elemental force as a spiritual knight. From then on, they could go on and attain the 9th Tier of the Elemental Opening Realm before reaching the realm of True Elemental!
Dream masters were largely similar to spiritual knights. They would start off as dream disciples before they would obtain elemental force as a dream master. From there, they could achieve the 9th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage, gain spirituality and finally reach the Prominent Divine stage!
The only difference was that dream masters would have an unparalleled combat power. A 7th Tier Illusionary Divine dream master could go head on with a True Divine or a True Elemental. A dream master in the Prominent Divine stage would be even more powerful and would be regarded as a Sage. No one would be able to challenge the Sage except for the True Elementals and True Divines who obtained the blessing and strengthening from Da Qian Imperial Court!
"Martial artists, Wu Zong, Meridian Opening, True Divine! Spiritual Disciple, spiritual knight, Elemental Opening, True Elemental! Dream disciple, dream master, Illusionary Divine, Prominent Divine!... Who would've guessed that there would be a path after the Prominent Divine stage? Is this related to the fate of this realm?"
Fang Yuan was drowned in his thoughts.
The few dream masters in the Illusionary Divine stage started to discuss among themselves. Unfortunately, they had too little information and in the end, there was no productive conclusion. They could only remain calm and compose themselves.
Fang Yuan knew that as a newcomer, he should not speak too much. Therefore, for most of the discussion, he was silently listening to the exchanges at one side.
"Alright! After all, the Xia Tribe has control over the fate of the people dao. As long as we do not do anything evil, with the presence of the 9 Cauldrons, we will remain safe!"
Near the end, Xi Chen started to wrap things up. "At hand, we will have to settle two big issues. The problem of flooding and the survivors of Jiuli! Fang Yuan! You have done well to kill Wu Zhiqi. The alliance will reward you handsomely. You have completed your mission. If you decide to join in future missions, there will be more rewards!"
Fang Yuan stood out and thanked Elder Chen Xi.
"Also... It's the Fiery Eyes that you have activated, right?"
Looking at Fang Yuan's eyes, Chen Xi smiled. "Let's not talk about the rewards from the alliance. As the King of Xia Country, I want to present you with a gift!"
"Buzz!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a fiery-looking crystal floated towards Fang Yuan.
"After my observations, I believe you have activated the bloodline of a Fire Witch. It seems that you want to improve your cultivation in witchcraft... This drop of blood essence was obtained when I killed a powerful witch. That witch is also a Fire Witch and was able to harness the power of Zhurong the Fire God. He was as powerful as a dream master in the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage. I shall give this to you!"
"Thank you for your reward, Elder!"
As soon as the crystal landed on his hands, Fang Yuan could feel a warm fuzzy feeling. It was as though flames were burning within the crystal and it looked special.
Elated, Fang Yuan quickly thanked Chen Xi.
"Alright, that is all. Everyone, please return!"
Chen Xi waved his hands. "After settling the issue of the flood, the witches will rise once again. We need to be prepared to leave anytime to deal with them!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The Illusionary Divine dream masters obeyed the instructions.
...
"He is indeed a powerful 7th Tier Illusionary Divine dream master to be so generous!"
Fang Yuan strutted out of the palace, arrived at an empty spot and crossed his legs. He looked at the drop of blood essence in his hands and gave a look of satisfaction.
As a person who has cultivated in fire-type witchcraft, Fang Yuan could tell that this drop of blood was indeed filled with the essence of a Fire Witch.
Needless to say, since this body was not his own, he was not afraid that the Elder would do anything to him.
With that thought, he opened his mouth and swallowed the drop of blood.
"Rumble!"
As he swallowed the drop of blood, Fang Yuan could feel as though there was a ball of fire in his stomach.
"Fire!"
He forcefully focused himself in absorbing the drop of blood. Thinking about the fire-type inscriptions on the oracle bones, he recalled a technique to transfer the energy to his entire body.
A burning sensation started to spread from his stomach to his limbs.
"This is indeed a blood from a Fire Witch!"
Fang Yuan could feel that he was being replenished.
He could see a red glow within him, seeping through his bones, blood and muscles. Part of it rose upwards and gathered in his eyes.
"Stats!"
After a while, as he fully absorbed the essence of the blood, Fang Yuan felt his eyes and exclaimed:
"Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 48
Spirit: 48
Magic: 60
Profession: Dream Soldier Master
Cultivation: Illusionary Divine (4th Tier), Wu Zong (5th Meridian)
Technique: [Giant Eagle Metal Body Technique (Grade 6) (1%)], [Hundred Poison Golden Body (1st Refining)], [8 Gates Sword Array (5th Sword) (1%)]
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 5)], [Fiery Eyes (Level 2)], [Fire Controlling Technique (Level 1)]"
"Fiery Eyes (Level 2): The increased ability from the activated bloodline of a Fire Witch. It is able to nullify fire-type elemental energy and traps. Currently at Level 2!"
"Fire Controlling Technique (Level 1): An activated ability from the bloodline of a Fire Witch, granting you the basic ability to control fire!"
...
"The cultivation of witchcraft is simply the activation of the witch's bloodline. It can produce a natural magical ability! Controlling fire..."
Fang Yuan snapped his fingers. With that, a small flame appeared above his right hand. It was greenish-yellow and flickering, giving out light and warmth.
"This skill is rather useless now... To quickly increase my cultivation, I'm afraid that I have to gather the blood essences of the witches?"
Thinking about it, Fang Yuan let out a bitter laugh. "In this realm, the people with the most concentrated witch bloodline are the people of Jiuli Division. Elder Chen Xi has really planned it well!"
"Of course, I am not a native to this realm. I will not hesitate to kill the people of Jiuli Division to take their blood... This is logical thinking..."
Fang Yuan's eyes glistened.
This was an era before the Qin Dynasty. All the stories which he once heard made him think.
"What I want the most is the secret as to how this world changes!"
Why would such a normal realm develop such an ancient vibe? Why are most of the folklore and stories here similar to that of his own world?
Could this be an effect of the influence of a certain cultivation?
Or could this be a result of the doing of someone from a higher dimension?
If any of this was the cause, and if Fang Yuan was able to find out about it, this meant that he would be able to travel to their dimension and world, right?
As Fang Yuan licked his lips, he had come to a conclusion.