A few breaths later, one of the Experts twitched.
Then another. Soon, all seven opened their eyes, confused at first.
Their gazes darted around, searching for danger, searching for their lost limbs... and finding everything whole again.
Shock spread across their faces.
Then they saw Aksai standing quietly above the ground, druidic energy swirling faintly around him. They felt sothing deeper too—the change in his aura, the strength in it, the pressure of soone who had just stepped into a higher realm.
"Ma— master? How... how is this possible?"
"You... you broke through into the 3rd Spirit realm?"
Their eyes widened. They understood instantly the implications of Aksai’s recent breakthrough on the war and overall war situation between Erald Cove and Kalingoot.
All seven of them pushed themselves up and dropped to their knees. Their foreheads touched the ground.
"Thank you... and congratulations for becoming a Core Formation Lord, Master / Island Owner Aksai," they said at the sa ti, their voices full of respect and relief.
Aksai looked at the seven Experts with a gentle smile. Their clothes were torn, their faces still pale, but they could stand on their own feet again. He gave them a small nod before speaking in a calm voice.
"It seems the plans we made were put to good use by all seven of you," he said. "I’m very satisfied with your performance."
The Experts lowered their heads with respect. So even clenched their fists, feeling proud that they had lived up to their island owner’s trust.
Aksai then turned his eyes toward Loken, who lay on the ground in a broken state. His voice remained steady as he spoke further.
"Although there were so unforeseen circumstances, all seven of you ca together to face your enemy. Rest assured, you will be rewarded well for your efforts and for your contribution to the island’s safety."
After saying that, Aksai lifted his head. Above them, the sky was brightening. The first soft rays of dawn stretched across the valley, painting the clouds with a faint golden glow. A new day was starting.
Aksai watched the sky for a mont and spoke again, his tone gentle but firm.
"For now, all of you can retire and get so rest. Even though your bodies have been healed, I’m sure your minds are tired.
"You also must have gained so insights since you ca very close to death. Use this chance to ditate and recover. Get yourself back to pri condition."
He paused for a mont before continuing.
"This war may not be dangerous to us anymore, but it is still far from over. We shouldn’t let our guard down just because I managed to step into the Core Formation Realm."
His eyes moved back to the seven Experts, steady and reassuring.
The seven Experts bowed deeply. "Yes, Lord Aksai," they said at the sa ti. They imdiately changed the way they addressed Aksai after he beca a true Core Formation Lord.
They then stepped onto their respective flying weapons—swords, spears, discs, and small boats—and rose into the air. Their figures left faint trails of Spirit light as they flew toward their cultivation abodes, each one moving quietly through the morning sky.
In a few breaths, they disappeared from sight, leaving Aksai standing alone on the cliff with the broken, half-conscious pseudo Core Formation Lord Loken lying nearby.
Aksai took a slow step forward. Ahead of him lay Loken, broken, pale, and barely conscious.
With a smooth wave of his hand, Aksai gathered the Flowers of Bitter Emotions that floated around the area. The soft petals—red, black, purple, and gray—shivered as if called by an unseen force. One by one, they flew toward his strange ring and disappeared into it.
Thanks to his new Spirit realm, Aksai’s control over the druidic powers had been enhanced as well. He could use so abilities from Devil’s Den without having to raise the barrier itself.
Aksai reached Loken and stopped. He stood right above the half-conscious man, looking down at him with calm eyes that held no trace of anger or pity.
"Hmm? There’s sothing wrong with this man. His body and soul are that of soone in the Foundation Establishnt realm and yet he has access to Third Order Spirit spells. And his aura as a Lord is quite unstable. It almost feels like...’
The Spirit farr raised one hand, and wood-elent roots pushed out of the ground beside Loken. They wrapped around the bloody stumps of Loken’s chopped limbs. The roots glowed faintly, sealing the wounds little by little.
Then from the sa roots grew long, vine-like limbs—flexible, twisted, and strong. These wrapped around Loken’s body and slowly lifted him up until he stood shakily on the wooden, root-like false legs.
Before Loken could open his mouth to speak, more vines rose from the ground and coiled around his trunk and neck like living snakes. They tightened gently but firmly, stopping him from moving or making a sound.
Aksai stepped closer and placed his right hand on Loken’s head.
"No need to speak. Let’s see what you’ve been hiding," he said softly.
He activated the Soul-searching Technique. A faint, almost invisible ripple spread out from his hand into Loken’s mind.
Loken’s eyes widened in fear, but he couldn’t speak. His body trembled as Aksai’s power slipped into his thoughts.
This ti, it was easier than Aksai had initially thought.
Loken was only a pseudo Core Formation Lord. His soul had not been purified or strengthened by the Dejection Demon Test that every true Core Formation cultivator must face. His mind was full of spiritual holes and weak points, and Aksai slipped through them without resistance.
At the sa ti, Aksai himself had grown stronger. After becoming a Core Formation Lord, his Aether Wisp had leveled up as well. His soul had beco heavier, steadier, sharper.
The Soul-searching Technique, when fueled by such a foundation, beca much stronger and smoother. One could say that the trifecta among the three cultivation paths was at play here.
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