Chapter 198 - World Spirit District
A couple of days passed as per usual with nothing of notice occurring.
For a short while, many were intrigued by what Cain, Kali, and Amber had gained from the Crypt Graves.
However, all that was disclosed is that Cain and Kali had managed to break through, reaching Middle Stage Profound Soul Realm!
At this point, their terrifyingly shocking cultivation speed was causing people to become numb.
With their Martial perception, their speeds are only within expectations. Furthermore, they have speeds that perfectly enhance their cultivation. No matter how fast they go, their foundations will always be profoundly deep!
With each passing day, the idolization of Cain and Kali only further increased.
If students started to see the sibling duo as actual young divine beings one day, it wouldn't be strange at all.
On this day, in the special ranking field, an important was occurring between top-ranking geniuses.
Inside Fan Fu's house, only Fan Fu and Qiao Fen met up in the study area.
As they got together, both mightly proud geniuses only had solemn expressions crossing their faces. Their current looks directly contrasted to the images they built up for years around the Academy.
If any other ranking student were to see them now, they would be a bit bewildered.
After all, both Fan Fu and Qiao Fen would be the new paramount that will lead Crimson Sea Academy to unending glory!
They were the top contenders to standing at the very summit of the city, outshining even the Azure Lightning Sect.
Such high praise inevitably caused both of them to forge a high image of themselves. One that made it seem like they were far above anyone in the entire world.
However, as of now, all of that pride, arrogance, and confidence were so ruthlessly suppressed.
Both Qiao Fen and Fan Fu couldn't cast off two shadows deep within their Martial Hearts no matter how hard they tried.
Naturally, it was the ones who took the whole city by storm, Cain, and Kali. The two most promising youths known in the last thousands of years.
As of now, everyone, including them, just has to watch from afar of their rapidly rising halo that seems utterly impenetrable.
And with each feat they achieved, it only heavily affected Qiao Fen and Fan Fu's mood to a high degree.
In actuality, neither of them has even met the sibling duo yet. Because of this, one would fathom they shouldn't be affected to such a high level.
However, to have two complete unknowns usurper their limelight with absolute ease left an incomparably sour taste in their mouths.
But most of all, they felt far inferior because of the sibling duo's insane Martial Perception! They had Martial Perception that simply makes their own cultivation look like an utter joke.
And the sibling duo wasn't even older than them. In fact, they were quite younger.
To geniuses like Qiao Fen and Fan Fuo who put their whole Martial Heart into Martial cultivation, developing a Spiritual Dependence on it, realizing they're actually far inferior was a tremendous pill to sallow.
Geniuses like them who haven't been overly tempered by the harsh reality and enlightening truths of the World would have a weaker Martial Heart.
Because of it, it was much easier for them to fall prey to dark, slumbering desires. Dark, slumbering desires that came from the depths of their Martial Heart, their very Soul Core.
"So? Did they actually reject our invitations even with a Discipline Lord backing us up?"
Fan Fu suddenly asked, his voice actually a bit gloomy. Even down to his speech, his seemingly unbreakable confidence faded away.
As Qiao Fen heard the question, his lips twitched as uncomfortable feeling scratched at his chest.
"Naturally, they rejected as per usual. And nothing happened to them. Really, at this point, it's like they can command nearly whatever they want. Tch…out of all places, why did they have to come here? Haah…what should we do now?"
Fan Fu didn't reply immediately, allowing the room to fall into a gloomy silence. Within the silence, all manner of strange thoughts flashed through his mind.
Thoughts he would never consider this option before, now it was becoming highly plausible.
It was only after a few more silent seconds that Fan Fu opened his mouth, slowly speaking each of his words.
"Leon has no hope of changing anything. Even Lina, with her mystical charm, will be hopeless in front of him. The only option we have is…that guy…"
A slight shudder seemed to pass through Fan Fu's body as he spoke. Visible goosebumps boiled up his skin, his expression gradually darkening.
Qiao Fen's reaction was just as exaggerated. He nearly jumped from where he sat, complete shock surging on his face.
"You-you really want to contact those heinous fools? I know we're in a tight spot but…is this really our only option?"
Wariness filled Qiao Fen's tone. For someone who usually deals with underhand methods, those people were an actual different breed.
He absolutely dreaded having to come more contact with them than necessary.
For a genius like him, not many things can make him so wary. Though he's far below Cain and Kali, his status was at the very heights of the entire City.
So naturally, this particular person was beyond any scope of ordinary comprehension.
"Do you see any other options?" Fan Fu suddenly asked, his expression quickly regaining calm. The more he firmed his belief, the easier it was to accept this situation.
Before Qiao Fen could answer, he continued to say, "Initially, I treated his offer as nothing more than a light joke. But, after all this, I can finally say that his words are coming to fruition. And I have no intentions of simply staying on the sidelines. What about you? Are you simply content with just living in a shadow you can never catch up to?"
That question fiercely jolted Qiao Fen. He completely paused as his mind whirled with ideas. The temptation for this offer became increasingly irresistible.
And after only a few short moments, a resolute look shined within his eyes.
He said, "Fine…since we're going to do this, let's not half-ass it. Should we immediately meet up with him?"
"No…" Fan Fu slowly shook his head. "If it's possible, I will try to get Yang Lin and that girl on our sides. I'm sure he feels as suffocated as we. His force and backing will be a great help. If not, we can still manage on our own."
In that moment, a change was slowly birthing in these proud geniuses Martial Hearts. A change that will form in many others but will only them and all others down a despairing road.
….
At this time, in the World Spirit Master district of Azure Lightning City.
Under standard times, this district would be quieter compared to the bustling of other cultivators.
As World Spirit Master has a fervent, studious attitude, none were that willing to causally waste their time. The groups that will be out would usually have some sort of mission in mind and generally kept to themselves.
But for today, a more sizable commotion whirled around the district.
The cause for the increase in noise were two famous youths known by practically all of the City.
And these two youths were causing more confusion than the usual awe that naturally graced their presence.
"What the…that Vampire girl? What was her name, Princess Amber? She's from a high-class Family, nothing really important. So, why the hell I'm sensing that from her?"
"Th-this is getting freaky. Could she really be another one? Plus, do you all sense fellow Master Cain? His Spirit Energy seems a lot stronger. Almost too strong!"
"Yea! It feels far more suffocating…like dunking my head into the sea."
Naturally, the cause of these whispers was Cain and Amber. These World Spirit Masters had their Spirit Sense locked on them for this entire time.
But during this duration, none can accurately pinpoint their Spirit Aura! It was like they had enough Spirit energy control to mask their Spirit Aura.
Achieving a feat like this wasn't anything simple. The Spirit Masters walking around wasn't weak at all.
There were some Senior Ranking members at the Peak Layer of green Spirit Energy!
Their Spirit perception reached an extraordinary degree where disconcerting any World Spirit Masters levels are as easy as simply glancing their eyes.
Provided that the World Spirit Master isn't massively stronger, these Senior World Spirit Masters can perceive even higher level Spirit Energy.
It should be noted that even for powerful Martial cultivators, it's a great challenge for them to discern Spirit Aura.
It is known that nearly all Sky Rulers around the city can barely sense Great Spirit Master Bellax!
These Sky Rulers all forged Martial perception that can peer into the mysteries of the World, grasping essence that can evolve a Mental Psyche to degrees that no Mortal or weaker cultivator can ever understand.
Yet their Spirit Sense is utterly powerless against a World Spirit Master's Spirit Aura.
This just goes to show that pure Martial perception vastly differs from Spirit Perception and is slightly inferior to it.
Comparatively, Spirit Perception can discern cultivation Auras with a simple flip of the palm.
So, in other words, Cain and Kali's Spirit Aura are at a level where even Sky Rulers will find it massively challenging to perceive them!
Just from these other World Spirit Masters talks, Cain managed to understand this. As he listened, ideas formulated within his mind.
The advantage of having unidentifiable Spirit Aura is excellent for surprise tactics in battle and can potentially save his life!
It'll certainly give him a playing card for when he deals with those far outstripping his cultivation realm. Perhaps with this, he could even trick those supreme Elders in his Royal Palace!
Managing to achieve a feat like that would undoubtedly be one of the greatest highlights Cain won't dare to forget.
Suddenly, Cain was broken off from his musings when he felt Amber warily clench his hand.
Turning over to her, Cain didn't see a change in her posture. But he did identify that she was walking closer to him than normal, practically just inches away from stepping on his shoes.
"Hey…I know you're assured of this. But, do you really think this will go smoothly? Their gazes… it's a bit worrying." Amber's tone had traces of concern.
She could admit that World Spirit Masters are hundreds, if not thousands of times more worrying than Martial cultivators.
These fellows were always haunting ghosts in her mind. People who can wipe her away in mere seconds without any repercussion.
And now, she's going to come in direct contact with these fellows from now on. Even with Cain on her side, Amber couldn't suppress an innate worry.
The gazes gathering on her seemed particularly intent. It was like each of them wanted to see through her very soul.
Their direct looks felt far different to Martial cultivators.
These World Spirit Masters acted like they wanted to dissect her body to see her inner workings!
Amazingly enough, they didn't have the usual greed, lust, or cunningness. Only an ominous light that'll make anyone's body quiver to their shoes.
When sensing Amber's gradual concerns, Cain simply gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
He confidently said, "Don't worry, these guys are just really vehement in their passions. I got these kinds of looks when first coming here. But in any case, just because you're showcasing Spirit Aura, nobody will try to start anything. Even without me, they wouldn't trouble you."
"Mn…if you say so…still, they're pretty weird."
Amber could only shake her head as she did her best to ignore the stares while sticking subtly closer to Cain.