Eternal Gate [ Special Edition ]: The way of the Sword

by William Bill

  Even if his cauldron got completely spoiled after concocting a single pill, he could at least buy a cheap Common Grade cauldron from the money he would get after selling the pill.

  But a cheap cauldron wouldn't last as long as a good quality one. Also, the pills' grade might even vary a bit depending on the quality of the cauldron.

  Damien started focusing on his soul plane, and a few minutes later, a diminished and inferior version of Fallen Flames manifested on his palm.

  He reduced the amount of soul energy by a lot in his flame to scale down its intensity and hotness.

  He had only depleted about 15% of his soul energy. But if he had manifested a normal Fallen Flame without holding back, he would have exhausted about 84% of his soul energy even with his Peak Origin Soul Stage!

  Damien then cut off his soul energy connection as his Fallen Flames entered the cauldron.

  Since he had decreased the amount of soul energy in his Fallen Flames by a lot, it wouldn't keep blazing as long as it normally would.

  But still, it would stay ablaze long enough for Damien to concoct a Rank 1 Pill!

  Damien then threw in the Rainbow Grass, followed by the two petals from the Four Petaled Wild Flower.

  Under his control, the chaotic Fallen Flames was as docile as a sheep as it gently surrounded the medical ingredients thrown into the cauldron.

  He began refining the essences of the various medical ingredients needed for the Peak Grade Rank 1 Sustenance Pill.

  Within just a few minutes, the medical ingredients were completely purified. Damien's eyes were staring intently at the interior of the cauldron as he saw the round medicinal pill flip and roll around a number of times before coming to rest.

  Seeing the luster of the medicinal pill, Damien smiled as he knew he finally succeeded!

  But just as he got a closer look, his eyes widened in shock.

  Damien beckoned his hand, prompting the pale brown colored medicinal pill to shoot out from the cauldron and fly towards him.

  As he inspected the medicinal pill's color, luster, etc., his eyes only widened more.

  He was astonished that the medicinal pill was not a Peak Grade Rank 1 Sustenance Pill but was a Low-Grade Rank 2 Sustenance Pill!

  He found it hard to believe that he was able to concoct a Rank 2 Pill without even using High-Level Common Grade medicinal ingredients!

  No matter how good or genius an alchemist was, it was considered impossible to jump grades without using the necessary herbs required for that grade.

  But Damien only used Low and Medium Level Common Grade herbs to concoct the medicinal pill in his hand.

  It was even common knowledge among alchemists that a Low-Grade Rank 2 Sustenance Pill can be concocted only using at least High-Level Common Grade medicinal ingredients as Low to Medium Level Common Grade medicinal ingredients was used for concocting a Rank 1 Pill. High to Peak Level Common Grade medicinal ingredients were used for concocting a Rank 2 Pill.

  If any alchemist came to know about this fact, they would rather go crazy than believe that Damien can concoct pills that can skip grades.

  This was why even Damien was gobsmacked as he felt like he pulled off something that basically questioned his knowledge of alchemy.

  'How can this be? I know for sure it's not because I changed the ingredients since I only used medicinal ingredients below the High-Level Common Grade. It would, at best, increase the chances of success and potency but not to this degree. It must be because of my…'

  "How long are you going to stare at that pill like a knobhead?"

  Luna appeared and made Damien come out of his contemplation when he heard her melodious voice filled with her usual taunts.

  Damien showed her the pill in his hands as he asked, "Was this possible because of my Fallen Flames?"

  Damien knew that Luna would have a clear idea of what exactly happened since she can analyze the essence of basically anything. In fact, she can not only analyze but shape and manipulate any essence.

  He felt that her Shard Of Essence was too overpowered since fundamentally everything or every being was made up of some kind of essence.

  That was how she could discern anyone's cultivation by reading their ethereal aura or soul aura and how she could manipulate and modify his ethereal core points.

  He could only imagine the things she could do if her soul was not fragmented.

  Luna didn't even glance at the pill as she said in a jaded tone, "Obviously, it wouldn't be because of anything else. Even if your medical formula is an improved version than the conventional one, it would at best help you concoct a pill a bit more potent than the usual ones. But to allow you to concoct a pill by skipping a grade...you should thank your own etheric flames as your flames squeezed out the maximum medical essence possible without leaving any residue from the medical ingredients you used. Ordinary etheric flames or elemental fire wouldn't be able to achieve that with the measly laws contained in them."

  "If I can skip a single grade by using just 15% of my soul energy, then what would happen if I increased the intensity of my Fallen Flames by expending more of my soul energy?" Damien's eyes sparkled as he posed this question to Luna.

  Chapter 38: Elysian Lightning Of Retribution

  "Theoretically, with your flames, you can even concoct a Rank 4 Pill!" Luna stated.

  "Seriously??" Damien's eyes were wide, with his whites showing.

  "But...that doesn't mean it's okay for you to concoct them right now. You very well know that you would exhaust most of your soul energy reserves if you manifest a normal Fallen Flame. Your flames would keep on blazing but can you guarantee that you wouldn't pass out before you can even refine the medicinal pill?"

  Luna's rebut made Damien realize that he got too excited without thinking it through.

  Indeed, suppose he did manifest his Fallen Flames without decreasing its intensity. In that case, he could theoretically refine a Rank 4 Pill considering that he is also familiar with the refinement process.

  Since the higher the rank of a pill, the more fine control, and precision it would take to refine the medicinal pill.

  Damien thought that for now, he could maybe try concocting pills below Rank 3 if he can adjust the intensity of his Fallen Flames without exhausting too much of his soul energy.

  But suddenly, a thought struck him…

  "If the depletion of my soul energy is the main issue, then...wouldn't it be fine if I just take a Soul Revitalizing Pill as the one Lily gave me," Damien asked as he raised his eyebrows.

  Luna scoffed, "Hmph, I knew you would think of some tricks like this. But that's all for later. Now your cauldron is even beyond repair. You can't even concoct a Low-Grade Rank 1 Pill, let alone a Rank 4 Pill."

  'Guess she's right. Right now, all I have is a Low-Grade Rank 2 Sustenance Pill, which I can probably sell for at least 100 Green Spirit Stones. And using that, maybe I could buy a very cheap cauldron, which could at least last for a few experiments. Or should I join the Alchemist Society?'

  Damien was in a dilemma thinking whether he should save up some money first or if he should join the Alchemist Society so that he would at least earn way more and also build some reputation.

  But if he joins the branch of Alchemist Society situated in the Imperial Capital, his identity would be at risk. If his reputation spreads far and wide or at least within the Imperial Capital, it would be common knowledge to everyone that Damien is a reputed alchemist. Even Lily would come to know that he is not crippled at all.

  Forget about even joining Alchemist Society. He still needed to find out a way to sneak outside the Imperial Palace if he wanted to sell his medicinal pills at least.

  Damien can actually leave the Imperial Palace temporarily if he wants. Still, he had a feeling that Lily might send someone to accompany him or at least have someone keep a watch on him secretly.

  And even if she didn't, he still needed a way to mask his identity if he wanted to sell his pill. If someone from the palace saw him s
elling pills, it would just mean the onset of many troubles.

  So, he thought of asking the only person who might have a solution.

  He looked at Luna and asked, "Do you have any ethereal art that can help me sneak around this place?"

  Luna wrinkled her nose as she said with a disgusted expression, "Don't tell me you want to go peek on that princess while she is bathing."

  Damien grinded his teeth in exasperation, "For heaven's sake, I have to sell this pill without anyone's knowledge."

  Luna felt amused seeing Damien's expression. She would always try to take a jab at Damien whenever she gets the chance.

  Luna's eyes gleamed as she said, "Ha...you don't have to worry about tiptoeing around this place. The ethereal arts I talked about today morning can easily help you conceal your aura and your identity."

  Damien got a little confused as he asked, "But you said you would be giving me an elemental, ethereal art, right? How can it give me stealth abilities?"

  Luna heaved a tired sigh, "You do know that your elemental attribute can be used for many other things other than just fighting people. Once you comprehend a bit of the ethereal art I am going to give; I will tell you how to make use of your lightning to conceal your aura."

  "Then, let's start right away." Damien was more eager to receive the ethereal art from her. He was curious how he could manipulate his lightning to sneak around.

  Luna shook her head with a firm expression, "Are you crazy? I didn't expect you to drain your soul energy from evening onwards to just 15% by carrying out those dull alchemy experiments of yours. I won't allow you to comprehend anything when your soul is literally running on fumes. Otherwise, you will just end up passing out in the middle of comprehension. You are to go and sleep till you recover your soul energy completely. Tomorrow you can wake up early in the morning, a few hours before the training session starts, and I will give you the lightning ethereal art and also give you advice on how to use your Nethereal Arts."

  "But—"

  "No buts, or I won't give you the ethereal art," Luna said adamantly.

  Damien inwardly shook his head. He felt that the current situation was something similar to a scene where a kid was getting scolded by his mom for trying to sit up late at night.

  He put on a sulky expression, and he also felt that maybe he was getting too excited to learn new things without taking care of himself.

  He knew that whenever one wants to comprehend an ethereal art or any laws, they should try to comprehend them with a refreshed mind to maximize their comprehension. If one is lucky, they might even gain some enlightenment.

  In truth, Damien was very exhausted, but he didn't mind tiring himself out due to his excitement.

  'As the saying goes, health is wealth, I guess.' Damien chuckled inwardly.

  ——

  It was early morning the next day when Damien was busy comprehending the [Elysian Lightning Of Retribution].

  His soul energy had completely recovered by the time he woke up. Luna imparted the [Elysian Lightning Of Retribution] to Damien while telling him that it was up to him how much he could comprehend since it depended on Damien's comprehension talent and elemental talent.

  Luna gave him the necessary tools, but it would be up to Damien to decide whether he could use them or not.

  [Elysian Lightning Of Retribution]

  1st Stage - Searing Strike Rendering Worlds

  2nd Stage - Mirage Of Myriad Phantasms

  3rd Stage - Star Illuminating Vortex

  4th Stage - ???

  5th Stage - ???

  6th Stage - ???

  7th Stage - ???

  8th Stage - ???

  9th Stage - ???

  10th Stage - ???

  Damien slowly opened his eyes and muttered, "Wew, I was able to comprehend only the first stage and the second stage partially."

  'This fast?? I guess I should not get surprised anymore. His comprehension talents are off the charts.' Luna inwardly sighed when she heard him mumble.

  The ethereal art Luna gave to Damien was no run-of-the-mill ethereal art.

  It was an ethereal art that came from a goddess with an Origin Seed!

  If any other ordinary mortal tried to comprehend this art, they would be lucky to gain some kind of enlightenment after decades or even centuries of trying to comprehend it.

  Even though it was not an Origin Art, its potential was still tremendous with virtually no limit, at least till the Pseudo-Origin level!

  Luna crossed her arms and said, "Not bad. You were able to comprehend at least the first stage completely. And with your current lightning comprehension, you could try to comprehend even the second and third stages. Since you are talented in lightning laws, as your cultivation increases, the more stages you can comprehend with the maturing of your lightning seed."

  "Then between Elysian Lightning Of Retribution and my Anti-God Arts, which is more powerful?" Luna had said before that the ethereal art she imparted to Damien would support his Anti-God Arts.

  But Damien still wanted to know how much difference in power there was between the two.

  Luna narrowed her eyes as she said, "Of course, the ethereal arts I gave you cannot be compared to your Anti-God Arts. After all, your Anti-God Arts is something that originates from your Origin Seed. Its skills are so heaven-defying that no other ethereal arts could compare to it. But that doesn't mean the ethereal arts I gave you are lowly. The skills would become more powerful along with you. They are the best of best if you don't compare them with ethereal arts that originate from one's Origin Seed. " Luna said with her nose in the air.

  She continued, "Just like how the ethereal arts I just gave you is incomparable with my Origin Seed's ethereal arts or Origin Arts. But one of the main advantages of your lightning ethereal arts is that it's not as punishing or energy-consuming as your Anti-God Arts. Also, as you already know, other than attack skills, there are support skills for movement, defense, and so on. Your Anti-God Arts doesn't have support skills like these, for now anyway."

  Damien nodded slowly, "Then comparing my Anti-God Arts and your Origin Arts...which one is more powerful?" He asked as his eyes glinted.

  Damien felt curious whether, theoretically, his Anti-God Arts is more superior than Luna's Origin Arts. By knowing that, he would also know whether the Anti-God was more powerful than Luna or not.

  Luna remained silent for a moment as her brows wrinkled. Then with a tight-lipped smile, she said, "You can't compare Origin Arts of gods like that. They have their own specialties and advantages based on the Origin Laws they have comprehended. Of course, unlike me, gods with Pseudo-Origin Seeds having Pseudo-Origin Arts would surely lose out to your Anti-God Arts!"

  Chapter 39: Tri-Elemental Mystic Constitution

  In the study room of Olivia Rong's Residence,

  "Royal Sister, I heard you took in a stray dog to look after your garden, hahaha...What kind of an exalted dog would it be, to make you bring it home?"

  Hearing the mocking and sarcastic tone coming from a person who looked about sixteen years of age, Lily tightened her fists but then decided to ignore him and let it go thinking that she should not stoop to his level.

  She was anyway waiting here for a certain someone. But she didn't expect her imbecile half-brother to be in the same room at the same time.

  The sixteen-year-old boy was none other than the Rong Empire's crown prince, Evan Rong.

  He was clad in blue clothing, and his face was good looking despite the slight immature features on his face. But the haughty and arrogant expression on his face seemed to resemble his mother's.

  Evan Rong was Lily's half-brother as his mother was the Rong Empire's Empress, Olivia Rong.

  Lily has another half-brother named Jamie Rong. But he was only ten years old, and unlike his older brother and mother, he was innocent and kind.

  Olivia Rong didn't mind that Jamie Rong was very innocent and naive since her plans involved only her older son. She didn't care much about
how her youngest son ended up. All her attention and time was only on Evan Rong.

  Soon a middle-aged woman entered the room, "Evan, quit playing around. Didn't I tell you to focus on your cultivation training? Go back to the Imperial Ethereal Court and don't come back till you at least comprehend the second stage of your ethereal arts." She admonished him.

  Evan Rong's haughty expression instantly changed to a docile one upon seeing his mother, "Of course, mother. I won't disappoint you."

  He then rushed out of the room as if staying a moment longer could put him in dire straits.

  Olivia Rong heard Evan Rong's remarks from the outside, but she didn't care what Evan Rong said to Lily. In fact, she would be happy if her son could rile Lily up. But to her disappointment, it seemed that Lily was more mature than she thought.

  "Didn't I tell you not to make any decisions for me without my permission?" Lily said indifferently as soon as Even Rong left.

  "Oh, my. You are just like that dead wench, your mother. Do you think just because you were born with some talent and being her daughter, you could look down on me, your empress?" Olivia Rong said as she gave a disdainful look through her half-lidded eyes.

  "Don't you dare talk about my mother! No matter what you say, I won't go with you for the 'Rising Sun Annual Convention'." Lily said in a firm tone.

  Lily felt anger and disgust being in the same room as her for even a second longer. Every time they meet, there would only be heated arguments between them.

  "You!! There's a limit to how much I can tolerate your insolence. Your father is not here to protect you now. Even if he was alive, you would merely be delaying your own inevitable fate. Your 'Tri-Elemental Mystic Constitution' is not only a blessing but also a curse to you. Do you have any idea how valuable you seem to all the powerhouses of not only this empire but especially the other empires? You—"

  "And..." Lily interrupted as she glared at Olivia Rong, "That is exactly the reason you can rule this empire. So, I have the right to look down on you if I want to. Without me, you would be nothing but a puppet empress."