Chapter 138: Mirror Immortal's Bizarre Nature, Warmth Realm? |
At Mirror Immortal Camp, inside a wooden house beside the bamboo tower
Yuwen Tao sat cross-legged on a chair with his upper body bare. A middle-aged woman wearing a blue velvet jacket sat behind him, holding a mane brush in her hand. She dipped it into the blood in the plate and evenly applied it to his back.
As more areas were covered with blood, the pain on Yuwen Tao's face intensified, eventually making him hiss in agony.
"Hiss............ Mom, lighter lighter, enough enough, let's just apply two or three pounds today, take it slow take it slow!"
Seeing her son's expression contort in pain, the woman immediately put down the plate and brush in her hands. Turning to see the large wound on her son's shoulder, she tenderly stroked it several times with heartache.
Slap............
The woman seemed to remember something, her face darkening as she couldn't help but slap her son's other shoulder hard, scolding angrily:
"You foolish boy, you don't know your own limits. With such meager strength, you dare take people to hunt intermediate Frost Beasts? If you secretly do something so dangerous again, I'll have your father give you a good beating!"
Yuwen Tao shrunk his neck, chuckling: "Mom, then you'll be disappointed. The leader just ordered that the camp add another intermediate hunting team. Your son, though untalented, has been appointed captain. From now on, I'll be specifically responsible for hunting intermediate Frost Beasts for the camp."
"Another intermediate hunting team, and making you captain? How can this be? The camp has so many talented people, why must it be you? Didn't your father speak with the leader to send someone else? No, I'll go talk to your father."
"No no no, Mom, please don't............"
"Quiet, you rest well. I'm going to find your father now!"
Yuwen Tao immediately sprang up from the chair, wanting to dissuade his mother from going, but before he could finish speaking, the woman sharply cut him off.
The woman's face showed righteous anger as she hurried out directly, apparently intending to go confront his father Yuwen Hu.
Knowing his mother's temperament - once she decided something, eight horses couldn't pull her back - Yuwen Tao didn't dare voice further objections. He could only silently mourn for his father in his heart and obediently stay in the room.
However, within minutes, a head peeked in from outside.
"Where's your mother?"
Seeing his father's sneaky appearance and knowing his mother had already confronted him, Yuwen Tao couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Foolish boy, you're still laughing!"
Yuwen Hu entered the room and, seeing his son mocking him, felt his pride wounded. After scolding once, he noticed the Frost Beast blood and brush on the floor and immediately became interested. He picked them up and started brushing them onto Yuwen Tao's body.
"Hiss... pain pain... Dad, it hurts, lighter, stop brushing..."
"This little bit hurts? When I broke through to Warmth Realm, I applied at least five pounds daily from the start. How much is this? At your pace, you probably won't break through for two or three years."
"Hiss... hiss............ Dad, how old were you when you broke through? How old am I? In three more years, I'll only be twenty. I'm not in a hurry to break through. Lighter lighter, stop brushing stop brushing..."
Yuwen Hu looked at his son's pained expression and couldn't help shaking his head.
But thinking of his son's age, he then chuckled softly twice.
True, his son was still so young. Even taking two or three years, he'd only be twenty when breaking through to Warmth Realm - much stronger than himself back then.
Thinking this, Yuwen Hu put down the plate and brush, pondered for a moment, then looked at his son and asked solemnly: "What situations did you discover last night?"
Hearing his father's question, Yuwen Tao's expression immediately became more solemn. He sat up straight and answered seriously: "Same as before. Among the twenty-four people I took last night, nineteen had followed the leader in worshiping the Mirror Immortal.
Those nineteen people, whether facing intermediate Frost Beasts or Xia Hong, were completely fearless. Even when severely wounded in certain-death situations, they showed no fear, appearing perfectly willing to die.
Exactly the same as He Meng's situation before!"
Hearing this, Yuwen Hu's expression immediately fell, and he continued asking:
"How many died last night total?"
"Of twenty-four people, nine are confirmed alive. I checked the other fifteen on the return journey - seven were unconscious, the other eight were absolutely dead beyond doubt. If they can still live, then they must be..."
"They've already revived. Right after you left, I personally saw those eight people walk out from the leader's room, and they even greeted me. Though in severely wounded states, they were definitely living people."
Hearing this, Yuwen Tao's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart trembled violently.
"Most of the people we brought over have already followed the leader in worshiping the Mirror Immortal. If they can truly obtain immortal abilities, then we can't blame those people. But how can humans possibly obtain immortal abilities?"
When Yuwen Hu spoke those last words, his voice was low. Rather than asking his son, it seemed more like he was asking himself.
As he spoke, confusion appeared in his eyes, but also a flash of obvious temptation.
Seeing this, Yuwen Tao immediately urgently advised: "Father, absolutely don't believe it. Humans cannot have immortal abilities. Even if the leader had heaven-reaching capabilities, he couldn't make people obtain such abilities out of thin air.
Those who've worshiped the Mirror Immortal and died once before - no matter how perfectly they pretend, I can determine they are definitely not their former selves..."
Pausing here, he continued:
"When we first merged in, were He Meng and He Gang brothers' temperaments anywhere as irritable and violent as now? During that previous hunt, you personally confirmed both had clearly died, yet were mysteriously revived. Doesn't this sufficiently explain the problem? That Mirror Immortal absolutely has connections with Abominations. I even suspect the leader himself has already............"
"Watch your words! The leader absolutely impossible absolutely impossible absolutely impossible!"
Yuwen Hu directly cut off his son, taking out a silver-edged circular jade pendant from his chest and shaking his head heavily.
"The leader absolutely impossible absolutely impossible have connections with Abominations. I can confirm - several times he approached me, this Abomination-testing Jade showed no reaction whatsoever.
He Meng, He Gang, and others who've died once indeed have greatly changed temperaments, but the leader has remained unchanged. Today you also heard - He Meng proposed killing that Xia Hong, but the leader didn't agree. Not only did he promote you, but he essentially endorsed your persuasion method, allowing you and He Meng to compete fairly."
Yuwen Tao immediately fell silent. He also trusted the Abomination-testing Jade.
He Yuanhun's temperament indeed showed no changes, still as gentle and reasonable as before, unlike He Gang, He Meng and others.
But recent events made it truly inexplicable to claim Leader He Yuanhun had no connections with Abominations.
"In this world, nobody fears death - whether father, me, even the leader - no exceptions. He Meng, He Gang, other camp members, and people from our Ning Zhou Camp who merged - all who've worshiped the Mirror Immortal have become fearless of death. This itself defies reason.
Not to mention He Meng and others reviving from death, plus those eight people I personally witnessed last night. Even if the leader himself has no connection with Abominations, that mirror in his hands definitely has ties with Abominations.
Father, you absolutely must not be deceived by the leader into worshiping that Mirror Immortal!"
Though the Abomination-testing Jade seemed ironclad evidence, Yuwen Tao still couldn't help carefully analyzing and persuading his father.
Knowing his son worried about him, warmth rose in Yuwen Hu's heart. He gently shook his head: "Don't worry, your father at least at least was once a leader too, not yet senile to that extent. Old He approached me several times wanting me to worship that Mirror Immortal. I've declined several times already. Only............"
Here, Yuwen Hu showed hesitation, then continued:
"Over half the camp has already worshiped that Mirror Immortal, and more keep joining. If this continues until the entire camp has worshiped, leaving only our family... by then, whether to worship it perhaps perhaps won't be our choice anymore."
Hearing this, Yuwen Tao's face also showed difficulty.
Outcasts are never tolerated anywhere.
Especially in a giant camp like Mirror Immortal with over ten thousand population.
Once Mirror Immortal becomes accepted by the entire camp, even knowing its connections with Abominations, they'd have to accept it too.
"Fortunately, the leader hasn't coerced others yet. Currently it's all voluntary attitude. I declined several times, and he didn't press further."
Hearing this, Yuwen Tao's brow relaxed somewhat, but he still couldn't help looking perplexed: "How can a leader of such great talent and vision not see that mirror's connections with Abominations? How can he believe in reviving the dead?"
Yuwen Hu pondered momentarily, then leisurely countered:
"Could it be could it be you... don't believe it at all either?"
This question left Yuwen Tao completely silent.
He Meng, He Gang, and others who worshiped the Mirror Immortal - anyone who revived from death once - their memories, cultivation, actions, everything completely identical to before, not a single difference detectable.
The only change was gradually more irritable temperaments.
But this alone was actually within acceptable range.
If clearly telling others that worshiping Mirror Immortal grants immortal ability, with the only side effect being temperament turning irritable after dying once, with everything else normal... who wouldn't be willing?
In this crisis-ridden Ice Abyss world, who doesn't fear death?
During last night's hunt, seeing those people's fearless fighting spirit, though Yuwen Tao found it strange, he had to admit feeling some envy too.
If merely worshiping Mirror Immortal could truly grant immortal abilities...
"Enough, let's not discuss this. That Great Xia Camp leader almost killed you. Judging by your earlier words, you seem to have rather good impression of him?"
Seeing his son getting increasingly absorbed in thought, Yuwen Hu quickly changed topics.
"That Xia Hong is relatively reasonable, can understand my implied meanings. He's intelligent, leaning leaning cautious in actions, prudent in character. If we could work together, he'd likely be strong assistance. My impression of him is indeed quite good!"
"Then you must accelerate. He Meng already notified hunting team members to specifically go to Redwood Ridge recently. Seems he intends to cause trouble for Great Xia. If you truly persuade Xia Hong to merge into Mirror Immortal with his people, not only saving the camp much trouble, but you'd also gain a capable assistant!"
Yuwen Tao nodded first, but quickly shook his head: "Just a good impression though. I won't spend effort saving him. Persuasion is just fulfilling obligation. I observe that person doesn't seem like someone content being subordinate. Let He Meng bring people to create some trouble for him first. My persuasion should be more effective then."
Hearing his son's mature, steady response, Yuwen Hu nodded slightly in approval, a smile appearing on his face.
………………
Great Xia Year One, January Twenty-Seven
Day just broke. Valley bonfires had extinguished. Everyone had gradually returned to wooden house rooms to sleep and rest. Outside the wooden houses stood empty.
Inside the wooden house, Luo Yuan and all Digging Realm individuals had just delivered the iron ore mined overnight from the mine to the Camp Supplies Office.
"The leader still hasn't awakened?"
"It's already the third day."
"Could something be wrong?"
"Watch your words! The leader is impossible! Impossible! Impossible!"
"Let's go. We need to return to rooms anyway. Let's check."
…………
The hunting team's fifteen rooms were all on the third floor anyway.
"The leader couldn't possibly have connections with Abominations. I can confirm - several times he approached me, this Abomination-testing Jade showed no reaction whatsoever."
"Why are you all coming up?"
Xia Chuan, who had stood guard for three days, looked somewhat pale. Seeing everyone's concerned expressions, he immediately understood, smiling as he said: "Don't worry. The leader's breathing grows increasingly louder. Quiet down and listen!"
Hearing this, everyone immediately fell silent, carefully listening to the room's movements movements.
"Huu............ Huu............ Huu............"
Digging Realm senses were already extraordinary. Though separated by wooden door, everyone could hear Xia Hong's long, steady breathing inside.
Moreover, this breathing grew progressively longer and louder.
Hearing this, everyone's faces showed excitement.
Breathing correlated with qi muscle changes. Its length inherently related to internal organ strength. All being Digging Realm, they naturally understood this principle.
"Could the leader have broken through?"
"Possibly. This breathing feels much longer than during my cultivation."
"Warmth Realm?"
Everyone looked at the wooden door, eyes showing anticipation.
"Alright, all disperse first. Go rest. Wait for leader to exit seclusion before..."
Bang............
Xia Chuan just started dismissing everyone when, before he finished speaking,
A bang came from behind the wooden door.
Those preparing to leave immediately turned back.
Knowing his son worried about him, warmth rose in Yuwen Hu's heart. He gently shook his head: "Don't worry, your father at least was once a leader too, not yet senile to that extent. Old He approached me several times wanting me to worship that Mirror Immortal. I've declined several times already. Only............"
"Leader awakened?"
"Probably awakened. That noise sounded like jumping from wooden barrel."
………………
"Over half the camp has already worshiped that Mirror Immortal, and more keep joining. If this continues until the entire camp has worshiped, leaving only our family... by then, whether to worship it probably won't be our choice anymore."
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha............"
Xia Hong's high-pitched, excited laughter came from inside the wooden door. The crowd standing outside gradually showed excitement and anticipation.
"All come in!"
Hearing Xia Hong's voice, Xia Chuan first stepped forward pushing the door open. Others exchanged glances, then followed inside.
"Forgot - don't come over here. Stay at the doorway."
The moment the wooden door opened, seeing over half the room covered in bright light, Xia Chuan and others' pupils immediately contracted, instinctively stepping back several steps.
This bright light wasn't firelight!
The window on one side of Xia Hong's room stood wide open now.
Outside sunlight projected inside, illuminating over half the room brightly.
And Xia Hong stood below the window, upper body still bare, being wantonly irradiated by sunlight, actually showing some enjoyment enjoyment expression on his face.
"Hiss............"
Though the smelting furnace warmed the wooden house, after opening the window, the bone-piercing chill from sunlight irradiation still made everyone involuntarily hiss.
Xia Chuan, who had stepped too close earlier, had part of his arm irradiated by sunlight. It immediately formed a layer of ice crystals, with surrounding skin turning bluish-black.
That sunlight remained icy and bone-piercing as before. They couldn't even touch it.
Yet Xia Hong now could openly expose himself under sunlight.
"Could it be that you... don't believe it at all either?"
When could they also stand freely under sunlight like Xia Hong?
"Leader, have you broken through to Warmth Realm?"
Luo Yuan first first couldn't help asking. Xia Chuan and others immediately looked at Xia Hong expectantly.
Clearly, they all cared about this question.
"Not yet, but it'll be soon!"
Xia Hong turned facing everyone, face full of smiles.
Seeing Xia Hong's front, everyone slightly froze.
Great Xia Camp lacked water.
Accurately speaking, Ice Abyss world humans probably all lacked water.
In extreme cold, they basically encountered no flowing water. Their only water resource acquisition method was collecting ground snow, melting it with high heat, letting it settle for some time for some time before use.
Due to water scarcity, Great Xia had no washing or bathing habits either. Plus perennial frost and snow environment caused everyone, especially frequent outdoor outdoor individuals, to have long-term dry, cracked, dark, dull skin.
Previously, Xia Hong resembled them too.
But now, Xia Hong's skin not only appeared cleaner than before, but also more delicate and textured. Under sunlight irradiation, it even shimmered with a layer of gloss.
Though appearance showed no changes, just skin transformation made Xia Hong seem like a different person in everyone's eyes.
Compared to current Xia Hong, though they also wore clothes they also wore clothes, they resembled beggars.
Xia Hong naturally understood everyone's astonishment. Upon awakening earlier, he'd also noticed his skin changes.
But now he had no mind to explain, hurriedly first checking the system's new changes:
[Camp: Great Xia (Level 0)]
[Lord: Xia Hong]
[Cultivation: Digging Realm Completion (Skin Membrane Reshaping Progress 2%)]
[Territory Population: 1096]
"That Xia Hong is relatively reasonable, can understand my implied meanings. He's intelligent, leaning toward cautious in actions, prudent in character. If we could work together, he'd likely be strong assistance. My impression of him is indeed quite good!"
[Unlocked Buildings 4: Smelting Furnace (Level 2) Wooden Dummy (Level 1) Medicine Pot (Level 1) Grinding Stone (Level 1)]
[Locked Buildings 5: Bamboo Fence, Marker Stone, Yellow Earth, Small Wooden Table, Iron Chain]
"Reshaping skin membrane - fortunately I stumbled using over a hundred jin over a hundred jin at once, forcing the system's hand. Otherwise, following step-by-step breakthrough would probably take years!"
Seeing system resource data completely zeroed completely zeroed, only 21 wood units remaining, Xia Hong's eyes showed both relief relief and lingering fear lingering fear.
Three days ago, jumping into the blood basin that moment that moment, he immediately realized his behavior's extreme error.
Previous pain from Frost Beast blood contact made him think the worst pain was bearable, that he could endure it completely. After all, when hunting that intermediate Snow Mane, his entire body was almost dyed red with blood - roughly three or four pounds even roughly calculated roughly calculated.
The moment he entered the blood basin, the energy within Frost Beast blood almost like bone-deep maggots bone-deep maggots drilled into every part of his body surface.
That intense pain felt hundreds even even thousands times worse than previous contact.
He then realized Frost Beast blood's pain sensation would continuously intensify with larger quantities.
Breaking through to Warmth Realm indeed required intermediate Frost Beast blood, but using so much all at once all at once, normal people simply couldn't endure that intense intense pain.
Unfortunately, when Xia Hong realized this, it was already too late.
He never felt so close to death before.
Until he nearly fainted, the system suddenly gave a prompt.
[Detected host nerves reached bearing limit. Can consume system resources to offset partial nerve pressure]
At that moment, Xia Hong never heard such a beautiful sound.
The final result was almost all accumulated resources from earlier period consumed entirely, only 21 wood units remaining.
You should know you should know, before seclusion, wood resources approached nearly one hundred thousand.
During this period, iron and coal were barely used too - over five thousand iron, over eight thousand coal.
This all at once all at once, actually all got used up.
He originally planned to unlock Bamboo Fence and Marker Stone buildings during this period. Now he could probably only manage Marker Stone, Bamboo Fence definitely needing further waiting.
Losing so many resources at once, though painful, realizing this function could greatly shorten his Warmth Realm breakthrough time made Xia Hong feel more excited excited than anything else.
This was why he felt so happy upon awakening.
This represented a tremendous advantage for him.
As long as the system had sufficient resources, it could offset partial pain from beast blood. Thus, his beast blood usage efficiency would surpass others by not just a tiny margin.
However, noticing the system's newly appeared cultivation item, Xia Hong's excitement immediately vanished, replaced by stunned disbelief.
"One hundred pounds, only two percent progress? This means completing the entire skin membrane reshaping process requires over five thousand pounds of beast blood?
…………
Over five thousand pounds of beast blood!
Calculating, that's at least over one hundred intermediate Frost Beasts.
What joke joke?
Xia Hong directly froze in place, face full of incredulity. He didn't even hear Xia Chuan and others calling him.
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