Reaper of the Martial World

Book 8: Chapter 175: Birthday (1)

“Beyond this space is Calming Lake, Sect Master.” Damaris took on an incredibly respectful attitude that stunned the elders of her Clan that remained. They had assumed she would hate Dyon’s guts just like all the other True Gods did, but she had actually brought him here… To grow stronger?… And why was she calling him Sect Master?

However, the elders had something else on their minds entirely. Just a few years ago, they had suffered untold humiliation at the hands of a single red-haired little girl, and yet she had just casually reappeared here as though she hadn’t almost killed them all.

“There are a few things you should know about our Calming Lake first, though.” Damaris explained slowly. “It is rare for us to allow those not of our kin to enter. Calming Lake is the culmination of several conscious streams from the very dawn of our Agios Clan, until now.

“I’m sure you already know, but we allowed Little Sister Lyla to enter so easily precisely because of this reason. Her stream of consciousness is levels above others because she is a True Empath, the depth of her mental state is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. In reality, her entering our Calming Lake was less of a help for her, and more of a help for us. Our Calming Lake has never been more effective than the day Little Sister Lyla chose to enter.”

This was right. There was no such thing as a free lunch in the martial world. Even as a Dragon Clan that would never harm children below their station due to their ingrained arrogance, the Agios Clan would never allow just anyone to enter their Clan’s treasured place as they pleased.

However, Little Lyla was an exception because of this Stream of Consciousness concept Damaris was speaking about. Lyla’s views were far broader than anyone could imagine, even at such a young age, because of her existence as a True Empath. Though the Calming Lake helped her, it was probably more accurate to say that she helped the Calming Lake.

“This Stream of Consciousness is a concept of our Agios Clan and it’s tied to our comprehensions of mental state.

“Mental State is a difficult to comprehend notion and I’m not fit to explain it to you, but what I can say is that it’s tied to one’s Dao Heart and mental stability.

“One’s Stream of Consciousness is the culmination of your thoughts, experiences, and mental acuity. How intelligent you are, how deep your thoughts are, how sure you are in those thoughts … The ideas it encompasses are endless. So, as you might have guessed by now, entering the Calming Lake is also extremely dangerous…”

Dyon didn’t need Damaris to explain why this was. If every Crystal Dragon in their history had entered this lake, the Stream of Consciousnesses accumulated in this lake were practically endless. If one who entered wasn’t careful, you could have your mind crushed by the weight of their experiences.

“At the same time, there is really no limit to how often or frequently individuals can enter. Our Calming Lake is powered and strengthened by our territory’s natural energy. As long as our universes live, the Calming Lake will live.

“As the Heir to Agios Clan, I take responsibility for forming an alliance with your Mortal Alliance. I am not in position to provide you support in battle, but an exchange of resources is well within my power.”

The elders were shocked once more. Even if this wasn’t an alliance in all things, it was incredibly rare for Dragons to enter alliances of any sort.

Dyon smiled and nodded. “I’ll provide your Agios Clan with the support of a Planet Lord. As long as you supply the spiritual ingredients, we’ll concoct what you need. In exchange, my Sacharro Clan will impose on your Calming Lake a bit…”

Dyon had paid more than enough for a one-time entry by saving and curing Giralda, but he felt that laying a deeper connection was necessary. So, he spoke to Damaris about it, and she surprisingly agreed.

The elders nearly collapsed. Planet Lord? Suddenly, their dissatisfaction disappeared with the wind. The Drago-Qilin Lands weren’t a place even the outer quadrants could stand to take lightly even though they spanned only five quadrants. However, even they didn’t have planet lords to call their own.

Of course, this was because beasts, for the most part, didn’t have good soul talent. Let alone Planet Lords, they didn’t even have Comet Lords of their own. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this was related to the reason why some of their Ancestors bowed their heads to the Elves.

A Moon Lord could already support the growth of a dao expert… But a Planet Lord? They could create pills even Higher Existences wouldn’t turn their noses up at.

Was this exchange worth the free usage of Calming Lake? Of course it was!

In truth, the benefits one person could receive from Calming Lake was incredibly limited. Many could only enter for a few minutes at a time before being chased away. And, those individuals wouldn’t be able to enter for a period of time afterward. Even Little Lyla only lasted a few weeks on her first entry.

Because of this reality, they almost felt like they were taking advantage of Dyon. But then they understood.

For geniuses, the one thing they usually lacked was the mental state of an expert. This was because they cultivated so quickly that they didn’t have the time to naturally build up that acumen. For a genius on Dyon’s level… Maybe this exchange was worth it. If he could bring his mind up to the level of his talent… A monster the likes of which was rarely seen would be born. 

“… Um, Sect Master, before you enter. There’s something I would like to ask you first.” Damaris couldn’t look Dyon in the eye as she gripped the fabric of her lilac gown.

Finally, she firmed her resolve, staring up and into Dyon’s golden, emerald flecked eyes with all the momentum she could muster.

“I want to be your Partner.”