The Umbric Recluse was a silent hunter , using shadows to bind and weaken their enemies . The moment its prey stepped out of the sun’s protective rays , they were already doomed . Its unique shadow manipulation allowed an assassin to force an opening without so much as a Cosmic Energy ripple that could be exposed .
Both were useful , and things worked out well in the end . Although , that was no thanks to his dear master , who never intended to leave a true inheritance . To do so would potentially have exposed his techniques , and a paid dagger couldn’t have that . So , the Towers of Myriad Dao was filled with random things he’d picked up , along with a few mad ideas he never dared try on himself .
Ogras had no plans to come knocking at that bastard’s door again . Rez had nothing of use , and Ogras wasn’t interested in his teachings . If Ogras ever stepped into the Umbra’s domain , it would be to snuff out the soul remnant for the same reason there was no true inheritance . Couldn’t have some unreliable soul remnant know his secrets .
Either way , it was time for him to pave his own path .
He’d already acquired a new Cultivation Manual to replace the Grey World Mudra] in exchange for 2 C-grade Nexus Coins and a supreme material he got with the numerology book . It could take him much further , and it better accommodated his new broader path . There were only two problems with it , apart from not having been fully tuned to his path just yet .
The first was its exceedingly high requirements when it came to affinity . He passed the mark when it came to the Dao of Shadows , but his illusory affinity was not yet up to par . This Dreamgeist should solve that problem in one fell swoop .
The other problem was trickier . Altering the method to suit his unique constitution . But he had already made good headway in that department . The manual should already be workable , providing greater cultivation speeds , multipliers , and energy circulation than Grey World Mudra] . Any kinks he failed to work out could just be fixed with the final piece of his seal . Ogras could see his path widening , and the Shifting Dreamgeist was the key .
Suddenly , it didn’t seem so ugly . It was almost a bit cute .
Come here , you little rascal , - Ogras grinned as a pulse shook the proverbial spirit lock hidden in his chest .
Pain wracked Ogras’s body as it was remolded into an avatar based on his Ka’Zur Planeswalker and the Umbric Recluse . He hated this part , but it was hard to say no to the extra attributes the transformation provided .
The Dreamgeist shrieked upon spotting intruders , and a powerful purple glow radiated from its previously unfocused eyes . Its body faded , but the world suddenly turned black . A deathly swirl closed off the region while a pillar that elicited a primal dread rose from the ground . It was a good reminder . Most of the time , Zac seemed like an above-board and straightforward guy . Then he went and created something twisted like this . The guy had range .
The cage slowed the Dreamgeist’s shift but failed to cancel it . It was enough time for two shadowy tendrils to slap it away , leaving binding marks on its body . That was enough to tether the beast to the region , which the Dreamgeist realized . The whole cage flickered as hundreds of beasts appeared , each with a Hegemon’s strength .
Ogras didn’t bother with those things . The pillar behind him was already sending out a net of chains . The captured minions could shift in and out of reality after having been reforged by the Dreamgeist , but it was enough to keep them busy . Zac was in the thick of it , chains and blades dancing around him as he contained the beast tide .
Leaving the Dreamgeist exposed . Its ability to capture beasts and turn them into illusory dreams under its control was terrifying , but its own combat ability wasn’t anything special . With his buddy paving the path , the beast was ripe for the plucking .
You can only blame yourself for being too talented . Who asked you to toy with a whole coalition on your own? -
I give , - Thea panted , her heart full of reluctance .
Don’t look so glum . You’re making great strides on your technique , - Amanthi said as he removed his staff from her shoulder .
Not enough to leave even a cut on your kasaya , - Thea muttered as the two flew down to the ground .
You’re just a kid , and it takes time to build a temple that can withstand the test of the ages , - Amanthi smiled . - Besides , your variegated background left you with gaps that needed to be mended . You will improve even quicker now that you’ve found a more cohesive plan and some proper techniques . -
Thea nodded . She had to admit the Sangha was treating her exceedingly well in her position as a - guide . ’ The number of resources provided for her cultivation was nothing short of shocking , and she was allowed to peruse the enormous repository in the spacefaring pagoda freely . Body Tempering , Soul Strengthening , Intent Molding , all kinds of magical methods and skills she didn’t know existed .
All hers for the taking , should she desire them .
It felt generous to the point it was beyond suspicious , and she hadn’t dared touch anything for over a month . Thea still felt the whole situation surreal , but she had long since caved when it came to helping herself to the various amenities . There was obviously something weird going on , but she was just Thea Marshall , a random Early Hegemon with decent talent .
If the Buddhist Sangha wanted to deal with her , they easily could have . She’d seen them turn an unrepentant Monarch into a devout nun . What resistance could she possibly put up? And there wasn’t much else to do on the ship than cultivate . Her - job’ barely took up any of her time , and if she had to listen to another debate on the Dharma between those insufferable monks , she’d go mad .
She couldn’t believe these people could spend weeks discussing things like the Karmic relationship between a stalk of grass and a raindrop . Amanthi was one of the few people not driving her up the walls . As a Dharmic Guardian , his role seemed more like that of an elite soldier than a spiritual cultivator .
A bell tolled , and Thea looked up with a frown . It was time .
Just get it over with , - Amanthi said .
Why not just tell me what that thing is? -
It’s out of my hands , - Amanthi said . - I’m just here to swing my staff around . You’ll have to convince the little arhats . -
Thea grumbled as they walked to the top level of the multistoried pagoda . It was fifty meters across , and the myriad stars of the cosmos were on full display above . Sixteen young monks and nuns were already sitting around the golden array in the middle . A few looked over with kind smiles . Most ignored her existence , fully consumed by intoning one scripture or another , having closed off their surroundings .
Benefactor , we hope you can light up the path once more , - a nun said as Thea walked over .
Thea looked at the golden array that hummed with vigor . It exuded mysterious ripples , like it held the universe within . Thea couldn’t stop a pang of desire as she looked at the intricate patterns . That feeling of stepping onto the array was indescribable . Of being connected to all creation , one with the cosmos . But it was a false sensation , and she was filled with greater reluctance every time she was brought back to reality .
She didn’t know why , but today was the day . Years had passed , and she’d finally reached her limit .
No , - Thea slowly said .
Her volume was low , but it felt like her rejection shook the whole hall . The silent chanting stopped , and sixteen pairs of eyes locked onto her .
No? - the nun repeated , looking up at her with confusion .
No , I won’t , - Thea said , taking a step back . - I’m not stepping into that thing again until you tell me what’s going on . This weird cult shit has gone on long enough . -
I assure you the array is perfectly safe , - Amanthi said from the side with a troubled look .