Chapter 671: Vri


    Vri came in a momentter, her eyes shielded by a ck silk scarf covered in aquamarine fractals, which also held her shoulder-long white hair back from her face. Her build was still the same as the angelic girl who almost killed him in the Battle of Fates, but her aura waspletely different.


    Two ck streaks ran down her cheeks and continued down her neck. It was a bit reminiscent of runny mascara if not for the massive amount, but its origin was rather Zac himself. When his soul cracked from the mentalists attack back then, a surge of Annihtion had ruined Vris eyes and cracked her soul in return.


    Those streaks of ck blood had marked her skin, and they now formed a mysterious pattern that Zac felt had some sort of rtion with the Dao of Oblivion. It gave her an oppressive aura, and one of perpetual sorrow, which was a bit unfortunate as her true disposition wasnt like that at all. She wasnt a ray of sunshine, but neither was she a dark cloud.


    Her mental cultivation had resulted in a calm and gentle personality, though that didnt mean she flinched in the face of carnage. She wasnt blind like one could have expected from her appearance either, as a version of her old eyes had been grown back in the ruined sockets. It wasnt some unique ability of her predecessors bloodline, but rather thanks to Zacs experimentation over the past years.


    He had used Creation to conjure something out of nothing.


    The energies of Oblivion and Creation were constantly released into his body, and he asionally needed to purge as to not get impacted by the influence of the remnants again. However, Zac had felt it was a waste to simply use his Origin Mark on nothing. He had seen how it could heal his own body and create things where only his imagination was the limit, so why not use the mark on his corpses?


    His first attempt had been on the nephew of Cervantes, the mutted and bisected corpse of the leader werewolf. Zac wanted to see if he could regrow the missing half with a Pink sh. Unfortunately, his experiment had ended up with the corpse turning into a mutted blob of flesh and metal as Zac let his imagination run wild for a second, making him think of the Cyborg he fought.


    The following experiments went better and better as he learned to properly focus and avoid distractions. However, there were still limitations to the skill. First of all, he could only use it on himself and on corpses so far. Using it on someone living caused a sh of wills between the two parties, and things got out of control.


    Secondly, the limbs he restored were weakerpared to the original, though that was slowly improved over time. Finally, it couldn''t create things Zac didn''t understand. One instance of this was bloodlines hidden in the depths of cells. For example, he had created two eyes for Pika as well, but she had actually scooped them out of her own head after awakening, saying that the real ones were waiting for her.


    Vris bloodline was thankfully not directly rted to her eyes. In fact, Zac wasnt even certain that her old eyes looked like that scary eye that had filled his vision back then. His memories of the whole encounter were a bit blurry, and he only remembered those enormous eyes. It might just have been a skill of the mentalist, but it was now a permanent feature of Vri.


    The real reason for the scarf covering her eyes was rather that her soul had grown too much in strength too quickly, and she wasnt able to control hertent bloodline. Her living predecessor probably practiced some specific bloodline method, but the Mentalist hadnt left any cultivation manuals inside her Spatial Ring. Most likely she hadnt brought things like that to Base Town at all, rather leaving them back with her n.


    So, hismander of the Einherjar was in a simr situation as Zac was before he awakened his bloodline. In fact, the Einherjar with previous bloodlines were all in this situation. Their bloodlines had been partly sealed upon awakening, and they had to work at unsealing them rather than awakening them.


    It was possible that a proper Lich might be able to allow their Revenants to awaken with their bloodlines intact, but Zac definitely wasnt at that stage with his homebrewed methods. Conversely, his Mark of Creation would probably kick up a storm among Liches if they found out he had such a heaven-defying method to restore corpses.


    Lord Atwood, Vri said as she looked back and forth in the cave. Such a nice ce. A shame it was destroyed.


    Its just surface damage, Zac said with a wry smile. It will be restored. Im sorry about the wait."


    "It was no problem. The atmosphere outside helped me make some progress of my own," Vri said.


    "That''s good. How are youing along? Zac asked.


    Its slow but steady, Vri nodded. I think it''s best if I stay at my current stage for a few more years unless you need me to advance. Soul cultivation is a slow path.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Zac understood what she meant. His recent break-through should be possible toplete while still in F-Grade, but it would probably take a longer time. Who knew, perhaps it was even possible to undergo a second reincarnation as well. The greater the foundation she built early on, the further she would be able to go on her path.


    Thats fine. Follow your instincts, and let me know if theres anything you need, Zac said as he threw her a crystal. These are my insights after undergoing my first Reincarnation, it should be helpful to you as well. There were some surprises. I hope youll aim for a perfect Reincarnation if you decide to stick with this method.


    Vri was the only one apart from himself who cultivated the Nine Reincarnations Manual. Zac had paid a small fortune for a Natural Treasure that allowed him to engrave at least the first section onto a one-time Information Crystal even though his understanding was a bit rickety.


    She wasnt quite as suited as himself for the method, considering she didnt really have any affinity or rtion to the Life-attunement. But the <strong>[Nine Reincarnations Manual]</strong> was still a top-tier Soul Strengthening Method, and it helped her strengthen her soul at a decent pace. In fact, her soul was already superior to Zacs pre-reincarnation soul, but it still hadnt reached its limits.


    Whether that would lead to an easier reincarnation or a stronger end-product, Zac wasnt sure. Honestly, it wasnt for certain that she would stick with the current manual at all since she could easily swap to another method before she actually underwent the first reincarnation. Afterward, it might be a bit moreplicated.


    Still, the information was of great value to her, and Vri gratefully nodded as she stowed away the crystal.


    Let me look into your eyes, Zac suddenly requested, giving Vri a start.


    Ah- Are you sure? the small Revenant hesitantly said. Your state after grinding your skills-


    That was before," Zac coughed with some embarrassment. "I want to see the effects ofpleting the first reincarnation."


    Alright, Vri nodded as she undid the knot at the back of her head, exposing two almost reptilian eyes.


    The eyes were fashioned after the massive eyes that Zac had seen when the Mentalist attacked him during the battle of fates, with white sclera and a blue vertical scar running through them in the middle. The only difference was that the blue back then was a lot deeper, whereas Vris fractured pupils were the aquamarine of condensed Miasma.


    Until today Zac had found himself on the losing end to Vris gaze, even when activating <strong>[Soul Guardian] </strong>or <strong>[Indomitable]</strong>. His soul wasnt actually hurt by the exchange like back during the tower climb, but it did make him slightly dizzy after just a few seconds. Which was shocking considering that Vri was just peak F-Grade.


    But this time was different. He felt some pressure and the oceans in his soul aperture started to churn a bit, but he was still able to maintain apletely lucid mind even without activating his mental defense skill. It was like the oceans acted as a buffer, and the core wasnt affected at all by thetent pressure Vri exerted. It was clear; mental defense was once his weakness, but it had now turned into his strongest point.


    I cant see your soul, Vri eximed with surprise, confirming Zacs hunch, and a smile spread across her face.


    Whats with you? Zac asked with confusion as he saw Vri light up.


    Im just happy. I can finally look someone in the eyes without hurting them, Vri said with a smile.


    Zac weakly smiled in return, once more feeling that the familial bonds of the Undead were a bit hard to get used to. He was essentially Vris father as she carried his mark, and the awakening was performed with him as the lifegiving source. But Revenants turned this way were adults the moment they gained sapience, though they were still a bit wide-eyed even after two years of education.


    So Vri was his child, yet she was not. She was an adult, yet she was not, and Zac had some trouble adapting to it. Triv had just told him to see it as the same sort of rtionship as the one he had with his Valkyries, which pretty much was true since the Einherjar were bound to him just like Triv was bound to the Undead Empire.


    Im sure youll be able to control your strength when we find a way to unseal your bloodline. It shouldnt be long until we find a way, Zac said. And if you want, I have an opportunity for you. The Crown of Despair-Inheritance. There are some risks-


    Im willing, Vri said without hesitation, eagerness written all over her face.


    Okay, lets go, Zac nodded before he activated his Specialty Core to return back to his human form.


    He had already kept Vri waiting for three days, so they headed out without dy, leaving Triv to start repairs on the cave. The two teleported over to hispound and immediately walked over to the intricate hedge maze that also doubled as Bras Energy Gathering Array.


    Even more functions had been added over the past years; it now also contained hidden bewilderment and trapping arrays that Kenzie had installed. Of course, the main reason for them being there was because Bra had demanded it in return for divulging some of his knowledge.


    Zac was in control of the array cores rather than Bra though, and he effortlessly led Vri through. The size of these additions around the Dao Repository had forced Zac to slightly move the inner wall, not that anyone in Port Atwood wanted to stay too close to the Dao Repository after it started stealing their ambient energy.


    Its you, Bra muttered, ncing down from his golden cloud when Zac walked inside with a curious Vri in tow. What do you want?


    I want to give the Crown of Despair to Vri here, Zac said. Is it a problem that shes a Revenant?


    Should be fine as long as its not a man, Bra shrugged and waved his hand, conjuring a portal in front of the statue.


    Good luck, Zac said as he turned to Vri. Ill wait here.


    This inheritance is a bit special, Bra interjected. The undeadss will be gone for at least a month, probably more.


    What? Zac said with shock.


    Most trials just took a few hours, and even his own inheritance had juststed for a day. Meanwhile, the trial for the Crown of Despair wouldst for a whole month? What kind of treasures hid within that realm?


    Its not that the quality of the things left behind is higher. The owner had some peculiar demands when constructing the inheritance realm, Bra snorted, clearly reading Zac''s thoughts. Also, its the only inheritance site I ampletely unable to sneak inside, so I have no idea how it looks by now. That dour woman might have gone even more insane over the long years.


    Do you still want to go ahead with this? Zac asked with some worry.


    Even more. It sounds like a challenge where I can hone myself. We cant shy away from some minor difficulties if we want to be able to assist you in the future, Vri said with a nod.


    Fine. Good luck. And if it seems like you will die, just give up. There will always be other opportunities out there, Zac said and looked on with worry as Vri walked toward the teleporter.


    And, young master? I am sorry about the mistress, Vri said as she disappeared in a sh.


    The teleporter disappeared, taking Vri with it. Zac gazed at the towering statue a few seconds, and he couldnt help but feel a wave of dejectioning over him. The statue was holding her head in her hands and it radiated sorrow, and it made him nce toward the stalwart statue of the de Emperor.


    Seeing him brought back a wave of unwee memories, and he wordlessly turned toward the exit. A snort echoed out from above, but Zac ignored it as he walked away.


    Are you Getting her back? a hesitant voice asked just as Zac was about to leave, which made him stop in his tracks as he looked back up at the Tool Spirit.


    It looked like Bra''s sullen demeanor was caused by missing Kenzie, and Zac guessed he shouldnt be surprised. She was essentially his only friend in this ce, visiting him asionally to just y around. Perhaps Bra was dreading being left alone in this world again since Zac was always upied with his cultivation.


    Ill do my best, Zac sighed. Have you heard of Six Profundity Empire? Or Immemorial Realms?


    I havent heard of that empire, Bra said with a shake of his head. But I have heard of Immemorial Realms from my master. It was something he had learned from a mysterious being passing through his sector. He stayed with my creator for a few weeks when he was young and gave some casual pointers on crafting.


    Master always said it was thanks to this mysterious persons profound knowledge he was considered the top among D-Grade craftsmen. It was thanks to him that even Monarchs came to his doorstep asking for help. Master always dreamed of meeting this mysterious master again, but he never got the chance.


    Zacs brows rose with surprise. A few weeks of casual pointerspletely transformed the fate of the original Bra? Sounded like Bra had a lucky encounter of his own. It might even be possible that that person was at B-grade to elicit such a change.


    Master learned that Mystic Realms are the lowest rung among the hidden pockets of space. There are higher-tiered worlds as well. He mentioned Ancient Realms, Immemorial Realms, and Primal Heavens. I dont know anything more than that though, Bra muttered.


    Immemorial Realm Higher-tiered Mystic Realm, Zac mused.


    It is some sort of cultivation paradise, I bet, Bra shrugged. I guess its the kind of ce those lofty beings need to enter continue their cultivation. I bet a ce like this backwater sector simply doesnt have the fundamental requirements to nurture a B-grade Cultivator. And there is no way such a ce is unimed. Getting in would be nigh-impossible.


    You might be right, Zac said with a sigh, knowing that his goal of finding Kenzie had just be even more difficult.


    Leaving the Zecia Sector alone was a daunting task for someone who wasnt even powerful enough to freely walk among the stars. Gaining ess to some supreme cultivation paradise to free his sister sounded like an impossible task as things stood. But Zac simply took a deep breath and left.


    One step at a time.


    Vri being gone for so long was out of Zacs expectations, but it didnt affect his original ns all that much. Zac sent a message to Calrin next, ordering a huge batch of provisions for his next outing before returning to his cultivation cave.


    He spent the next week healing up, resting, and going over his ns. Zac had formed all kinds of hypotheses and goals over the past three years, and the improved rity from his soul helped him perfect those steps even further. Only when he waspletely certain he was back in prime condition did he continue with his objectives.


    Zac activated his teleporter, appearing in a small empty building, a loggers cabin that hadnt seen any visitors for months. He stepped outside, finding himself in a small town, though not a person was in sight. It was a small deserted settlement that Zac had found while flying around on his leaf, looking for good grinding spots or any natural treasures left behind after the Integration.


    Judging by the signs and remains, the ce had once been a drop-off point for a cohort of human cultivators. However, they had long died due to their unfortunate cement. The town was situated at the edge of a series of towering mountains to one side and a vast coniferous forest to the other.


    Both the mountains and the forest were simply crawling with powerful beasts, and there were no other towns for hundreds of miles. The cultivators had fought valiantly against the dangerous surroundings, unlocking a Nexus Crystal and all sorts of battlements. They had all died before managing to unlock the teleporter though, leaving the town unimed.


    Zac had quickly killed all the alphas in the surroundings before iming the city, which gave him a small outpost far away from prying eyes, with ample prey to use as target practice. However, Zac didnte here to just fight beasts, he had a specific goal in mind.


    He walked over to the Nexus Crystal, putting his hands against its smooth surface.


    <strong>[Fuse Skills?]</strong>