NOVEL WEB Chapter 553: Reunion (2)
Cang, having been a 9th rank open heaven for nearly a million years or more, he sort of lost track of it by this point… He was able to refine the ranked resources with ease and recover a substantial portion of his stability as a result, this was what gave him the confidence in refining the Mortal Coil.
The Mortal Coil, in Cang's eyes, was a creation realm level artifact, or at least close enough to be considered as much. Thus he began the refinement with the utmost caution, taking it slow at first. Only after several breaths of time did he realize that it wouldn't be nearly as dangerous as he had previously thought. Subsequently the refinement hurried along and went unabated by any further issues.
"Wow…" Cang said, opening his eyes. "This thing is strong enough to even strengthen and reinforce the effects of the subtree… No, it's more than that? The ink force's evil that had been suppressed by the subtree before is rapidly depleting… It's like if the energy were a coin and is simply flipping sides." He added, attempting to explain what he felt.
"It really is a good thing isn't it, be careful though, it won't flip the full amount if you run out of fate. I believe that's why the brat gave you so many people to help recover that fate." Wu Kuang replied with a fair warning just in time too.
"Oh, so that's why he sent a weak world along with you. It's weak enough that I can resolve any conflicts with my small universe in an instant. And even if there were something I couldn't, the 12 columns that appeared will definitely correct all of that. Such genius…" Cang stated, absorbing the tiny universe world entirely, and then noting a token in his new space ring. "8th brother, this token, what is it exactly? It gives me the odd sensation of a dragon's power." He asked, curious about the token now in his hands.
"Ahahaha! That's the first thing the brat came up with. That was a token made to give the human race an edge in the war, while also satisfying the growing angst of the Dragon and Phoenix clans. It allows one to safely channel the same pressure of the Divine Spirits. Though I hear it's a bit limited, it apparently has been a huge help, even more so than the light of purification that the brat's father Yang Kai had introduced several decades prior. There may actually be something in there that explains the whole situation." Wu Kuang explained, still eagerly waiting for the win to open up.
"Hmm, there is… But first maybe I should help open this wine. We can read the letter later. For now let us enjoy ourselves for a moment. This is our reunion after… How many years was it?" Cang said with a smirk, hiding that he too could smell the wine.
"I forget how long it's been, so let's just go with it having been far too long." Wu Kuang mentioned.
The two old time friends, together once more, opened the celebratory wine. Once they began drinking, it was instantly apparent that they would need to pace themselves. The wine was strong beyond belief and in so many different ways.
While they drank, they read the letter I wrote for them. It was then that the situation with the human race had been fully described, I didn't bother leaving out any details that may have proven significant or answer any potential questions. It also detailed the current state of the war along with my predictions for the future course of the war. I also had tried my best to explain just how strong I actually was, though it was difficult to truly put that into words they would understand.
"Good wine, good news and good company… It's been too long." Cang sighed away his stress. "Let us do our part and keep Ink caged up until that brat grows strong enough to contain, or even better, defeat him." He added.
"That's why I'm here. I'm not going to bother attempting to do anything else. Not after he gave me so many gains… Even if I did lose my Stainless Pure Lotus, it wasn't a bad trade. The effects of that lotus aren't any better than what I have now… In fact, I'm better off now. The refinement of the Mortal Coil has an even greater effect over the short term, but it also has a similar growth potential. And this body hadn't had the lotus long enough to reach the same level anyway." Wu Kuang replied with flushed cheeks.
"I can certainly see why you'd trade the lotus for this thing. The Mortal Coil is so strong it doesn't just affect the small universe, but the body as well. It's like a well spring of pure strength beyond what I had imagined before. With this I could take another step further. The only question now is… How many steps further?" Cang said, curiously looking at the wine that he reluctantly was forced to pace himself.
The two old friends dove into small talk, and discussions of the dao. Each realizing they were now improving themselves and each other. They also realized why I had only given them 1 jar of wine to share, any more and it could have caused disastrous consequences for the both of them.
Cang, the ancient expert now with renewed strength, a friend, hope and a reason to continue to have hope. He was thankful for this chance, to finally see evidence in his long life that his actions weren't meaningless.
Wu Kuang, the reincarnation of Shi, another of the ancient experts, finally felt at home with his old friend Cang. Bonding together while Cang both made fun of and scolded Wu Kuang for his actions. Wu Kuang took it all in stride, finally hearing the things he needed to hear, and from the person he needed to to hear it from the most. After all, the scolding of a close and dear friend is second only to that of one's mother.
In the end, the two became closer than before and together, they made a brotherhood vow to defend this place, the Heavenly Beginning Great Restriction, with everything they have.