Chapter 13: Beginning Secluded Cultivation
The light of the morning sun spread across the land like nectar sprinkled by the goddess of nature.
On the training ground of Dragonblood Castle, dozens of people had gathered. They were all there to see off Desri and Tulily's group.
"Linley, now that this matter is concluded, you'll be going into seclusion as well, I imagine. By the time we meet again, you'll probably have already stepped into the divine plane," Desri said with a sigh of emotion.
Linley smiled and replied, "Desri, Tulily, don't forget what Lord Beirut said. You two could reach the divine plane in as little as a day or two. It's possible you'll both step into the divine plane even before I do."
Tulily and Desri both laughed.
"Alright, we'll be off now." Under the watchful eyes of Linley and the others, Desri, Tulily, and their group soared directly into the sky, eventually turning into a cluster of black dots on the horizon before vanishing.
"Flying... If only I could fly." Taylor, standing behind Linley, had a trace of envy in his eyes as he spoke with emotion.
Linley couldn't help but turn his head to look at Taylor.
Sweeney, standing beside him, laughed and said, "Taylor, what's the rush? Keep training for a few more years. You're already at the eighth rank. Once you reach the ninth rank as a warrior, and become a Dragonblood Warrior, that's the saint domain, isn't it? Then naturally you'll be able to fly."
"Taylor, who told you not to choose the Gold Dragonblood back then?" a beautiful blonde woman behind Linley said.
Sasha, who had once been a shy young girl, had now blossomed into a very charming beauty. Coupled with her family background, Sasha was pursued by many noble scions in the imperial capital of Baruch City. Unfortunately, Sasha's standards were too high, and she paid no attention to those noble sons at all.
"Enough. Let's head back to the main hall first." Linley said to Taylor and Sasha.
"Yes, Father." Taylor and Sasha immediately acknowledged.
Although Linley wasn't overly strict with Taylor and Sasha, the ten years he had spent in the Necropolis of the Gods meant that during this crucial period of their growth, Taylor and Sasha had never seen Linley. This instilled in them a sense of awe for their 'father,' who had become a legendary figure in the Baruch Empire.
In the main hall.
A long table, a full ten meters in length, was placed in the center. A group of experts, including the five Barker brothers and Cesar, were seated on either side in order.
"This family gathering today will probably be the only time in the next few years that so many of us are together." Linley had already made up his mind to arrange all family affairs before beginning his secluded cultivation.
Only...
Lord Beirut's arrival last night, along with that strange and abrupt warning, had left Linley feeling uneasy.
He always felt that some kind of crisis was lurking in the Yulan continent, and now it seemed that crisis was about to manifest. However, regardless, cultivation was imperative. After all, waiting idly was the stupidest thing to do. Reaching the divine level as soon as possible would be best for him and all his family and friends.
After all, Delia and Barker had both refined divine sparks. Even if they became gods, they probably wouldn't be familiar with how to use the laws in battle.
The true combat power still rested with Linley. And Bebe, who was about to reach adulthood.
"Linley, you're going into seclusion to train?" Cesar immediately caught on.
Linley nodded slightly. "But before that, there are some things I need to explain. Sweeney."
"Uncle." Sweeney immediately responded respectfully, listening attentively.
Linley fixed his gaze on Sweeney and said solemnly, "Last night, I told you about the continental war. At the time, I thought of it too simply. Now, I want to remind you of a few points. You must remember them!"
"Please speak, Uncle." Sweeney said respectfully.
Delia, the five Barker brothers, Wharton, Cesar, and the others all looked puzzled.
"First. This time, our Baruch Empire, along with the Yulan Empire and the O'Brien Empire, are launching a war to divide the world. Originally, our Baruch Empire's goal was to conquer the Rohault Empire and the Far East Prairie. Now, I want you to slow down the pace of the offensive. Don't be impatient. Don't be greedy. Even if you only conquer half, a third, or even less of their territory, that's fine."
Sweeney was immediately confused.
Last night, he had clearly understood that at the saint domain level, the alliance of the three empires had an absolute advantage. There was no variable in this war.
"Uncle..." Sweeney couldn't help but speak.
"Listen to me." Linley frowned, and Sweeney immediately fell silent.
Linley frowned and said solemnly, "Second. In this continental war, our Baruch Empire's goal is not conquest, but to protect ourselves."
Sweeney was even more confused.
"Finally, I can only hope that you, Sweeney, will be cautious, cautious, and then even more cautious." Linley understood in his heart, "Everything must focus on protecting ourselves."
What status did Lord Beirut have?
For him to command the High Priest, the War God, and himself simultaneously, and to give him a special reminder, this was definitely a major event. After all, there were very few things that could make Lord Beirut take notice.
"Did you hear clearly?" Linley asked sharply.
"I heard clearly." Sweeney frowned and asked in confusion, "Uncle, I'd like to ask, even though this war hasn't started, the outcome is already decided. Why are you..."
The others, including Cesar and the five Barker brothers, had also understood.
They were also puzzled.
Destroying the Holy Island of the Radiant Church was already done, and the headquarters of the Dark Church was handled by the disciples of the War God and the High Priest. If war were truly waged, it would definitely be a sure win.
Linley shook his head and said, "I can only tell you that the crisis lurking in this war is far greater than you imagine. Even divine-level experts dare not underestimate it."
Everyone in the main hall was startled.
Divine-level experts?
As it stood, there was no one in Dragonblood Castle who had truly become a god. Delia was still in the middle of refining her divine spark, and Barker had only just begun.
"Uncle, rest assured. I will not let you down." Sweeney, realizing the gravity of the situation, immediately said.
Linley nodded.
He was very reassured by Sweeney. In fact, before Linley had entered the Necropolis of the Gods, Wharton had discussed the next emperor with him. At the time, Wharton had even suggested Linley's son, Taylor, for the role. But Linley knew the personalities of both Taylor and Sweeney very well.
Sweeney's gentle demeanor and decisive, efficient style were more suitable.
"With that matter settled, there's only one last thing." Linley smiled as he looked at the group. Seeing the look in their eyes, he understood what they were thinking. "Yes. I am preparing to go into a serious period of secluded cultivation. Of course, Delia will be cultivating with me, and Barker will also be cultivating. As for the location, it will be in the underground secret chamber."
Sweeney, Taylor, and Sasha all looked at Linley with admiration.
Their father (uncle) had been training for less than a hundred years, yet he could rely on himself to truly become a god!
A god, to them, was an existence that absolutely required looking up to.
"Lord Linley." Barker spoke up.
"Hmm?" Linley looked at Barker.
Barker said earnestly, "Lord Linley, refining a divine spark requires learning the profound mysteries of the laws contained within the spark. It doesn't require comprehending nature."
Linley nodded.
Breaking through to become a god oneself required constant contemplation and enlightenment. It was like forging one's own path, requiring personal insight.
Refining a divine spark, on the other hand, was like having the profound mysteries of the laws placed right in front of you, for you to learn. Naturally, there was no need to comprehend nature during the process.
"So, I think I don't need to go into the underground secret chamber. I'll just cultivate in my quarters in Dragonblood Castle," Barker said. In truth, Barker's main reason was to be able to occasionally spend time with his wife. After all, refining a divine spark could be paused at any time.
It was like reading a book; you didn't have to read it all in one go.
Of course, the second reason was that Barker didn't want to disturb Linley and Delia. After all, they were a married couple! If he were to intrude on a husband and wife cultivating together in a secret chamber, it could be quite awkward at times.
"That works too." Linley nodded with a smile.
Then, Linley looked at everyone seriously and said, "Tonight, Delia and I will begin our secluded cultivation. During our seclusion, unless there is something of utmost importance, no one is allowed to disturb us in the planar secret chamber."
Everyone nodded.
Linley suddenly remembered Beirut's warning.
He couldn't help but add, "Of course, if you truly encounter any difficulties or great danger, you must come and inform me immediately. Don't try to be heroes. Especially if you encounter something strange or terrifying, tell me first. Don't act on your own."
Linley felt he had to give this instruction, or he wouldn't be at ease.
"Big brother, rest assured. We understand." Wharton said with a smile.
"Cesar." Linley looked at Cesar beside him. "You are the most experienced among this group. If any important situation arises, don't let them act recklessly out of bravado." Linley knew the personalities of Wharton and the five Barker brothers well.
Although they weren't exactly reckless, when they got truly angry, these few could let their emotions get the better of them.
"Yes, Lord Linley." Cesar acknowledged.
Linley nodded slightly.
He had said enough. Although he didn't know exactly what was lurking in the Yulan continent that had prompted Lord Beirut to warn him, Linley had at least made some preparations.
...
Late at night fell. Deep beneath Dragonblood Castle, in the miniature plane.
Inside the miniature plane, looking up or around, one could see the endless spatial turbulence outside the plane.
The colorful spatial turbulence was indeed filled with a mysterious charm, attracting one's gaze. But Linley and the others also knew that spatial turbulence was the most dangerous place. Even divine-level experts dared not venture into it.
Linley embraced Delia, gave her a light kiss, then looked at her and instructed, "Delia, you sit on that stone bed and cultivate. I'll sit on the ground."
Linley's comprehension of the 'Profound Mystery of Wind' required constant practice, so he naturally needed more space.
Delia, refining her divine spark, didn't even need to move.
"Mm, I know." Delia nodded obediently, then looked at Linley expectantly and said, "Linley, you cultivate well. Don't worry about me."
Linley and Delia then sat down cross-legged separately, one on the stone bed and one on the ground.
Almost instantly, Linley was completely immersed in his comprehension of the wind. This time, he was devoting his entire being to studying the laws of the wind element. After all, in terms of the Profound Mystery of Velocity, Linley had already sensed the threshold of godhood. But his comprehension of the Profound Mystery of the Earth's Pulse was still lagging behind.
To comprehend the Profound Mystery of Velocity to the divine level as quickly as possible—that was what Linley needed to do.
"Ever since I reached the saint-level magus realm and my soul underwent its transformation, my ability to comprehend laws and deduce has become much faster." Linley felt increasingly confident. Then, his spiritual energy began to sense the fluctuations of countless wind elements.
In his mind, the two profound mysteries of the 'Fast' realm and the 'Slow' realm began to evolve naturally. Two virtual swords in Linley's mind executed attacks one after another. At the same time, he constantly cross-referenced the two realms to advance his understanding of the 'Profound Mystery of Velocity.' He also simulated a sword to demonstrate his insights into the Profound Mystery of Velocity...
Whenever he doubted the simulated sword techniques, Linley would get up and test them in practice.
Comprehending, deducing, evolving, cross-referencing, understanding, testing...
Linley was completely immersed in this process, losing track of time. At this moment, his spiritual world contained only the three virtual swords representing 'Fast,' 'Slow,' and the combined 'Profound Mystery of Velocity.' These three virtual swords constantly changed.
In particular, the virtual sword of the 'Profound Mystery of Velocity' was continuously growing in power.