Chapter 258 – Darkness (IX)

Chapter 258

Darkness (IX)

“I was recruited just shy of six hundred years ago,” the man began, squeezing words between his teeth. “At first, I was merely a sweeper. After a few years, I was tasked with collecting tithes from the nearby villages. That was when I learned, however, that I wasn’t in an ordinary sect. Tithes weren’t of gold or goods, but sacrifices. For every ten people in the village, one would have to be sacrificed.

“Every day, I’d cart anywhere between five to fifteen people from the surrounding hills and mountains to the sect, where I’d be given a few Spirit Stones for each. Bit by bit, I’d made enough to reach the Foundation Establishment on my own and was accepted as a Disciple.”

Long Tao listened patiently, though he wasn’t quite sure why the man was giving him a full history of his life. Was he planning on talking until he drew his last breath?

“I will say that, even after almost six hundred years, I’m still… just an Outer Disciple.”

“Oh? You’re that pathetic?”

“Nonsense!!” the man growled. “Anywhere else, I’d have been considered a pup to rear! A true prodigy! But they… they don’t care about talent. All those kids who died? They all had at least Heavenly Roots.”

“What do they want, then?” Long Tao exclaimed softly, feeling a tinge more surprised.

“I…”

“You don’t know? And you spent 600 years serving them?”

“…”

“Wow. I don’t know whether to be impressed by your loyalty or confounded by your stupidity.”

“Hah! I’d rather be the servant of true gods than a false god of vermin! Do you think besting me matters at all?! Or interrupting our plans a couple of times?! Hah! If they truly wanted you dead, you’d have died a long time ago! The world is vast, and you merely a buzzing fly they don’t care to correct!”

Long Tao learned a very important thing–the man knew nothing of importance. That was likely why he was allowed to yap like mad. There were probably eyes behind his that were laughing at him, at this display of utter obedience. Yes, it was the false sort, born of dual fear–fear of death and fear of the Sages–but obedience nonetheless.

At the very least, he began to understand a few vague things; they likely had the means of increasing one’s natural talents. There was no way to field dozens of kids with Heavenly Roots with such ease in this corner of the world. Even Long Tao himself would need decades, if not centuries, of setup just to barely start it.

How were they doing it?

There were hundreds of ways to change one’s natural talents. Rather, the question was just how low quality and unstable those roots were. After all, none of the kids had ever displayed combat prowess matching their supposed talents. With Heavenly Roots, they broadly matched Dai Xiu and Xi Zhao and Wan Lan, yet those three could obliterate them all by the handful rather than one by one.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

It was likely the same as it was with his Master’s cultivation–a mask hiding the unhinged rot beneath. A pretty clever mask, but a mask nonetheless.

“You still didn’t tell me why you’re here.”

“… we’re looking for the Garden.”

“Ah.” Long Tao exclaimed softly, almost grinning in disbelief. “You lot really don’t have the faintest idea of what this place is, do you?”

“And you do?”

“… there are 21 Heavens,” Long Tao said. “Though how many worlds exist between the membranes, even the Emperors do not know. If I were you,” he added, grabbing the sword. “I’d run. Run as far away from this one as possible, into one of those deserted worlds bereft of life.”

“What are you talking about?! Have you gone mad?!” the man growled as Long Tao walked up, the look in his eyes detached and cold.

“If I catch you,” he swung. “You will never die.”

A head flew cleanly as he withdrew the sword, the edge disappearing into the membrane of reality. The body toppled sideways and was, within a few seconds, entirely consumed by the tiny tendrils jutting out from the roots.

There was rage burning in his heart like a furnace watching it–not because he felt anything for the man, but because he was repeatedly reminded of those ghouls who were one of the leaders of the union chasing him.