Chương 376: Ghosts of the Mine (XXII)

Who were they? I haven't a clue. Still, seeing how they completely ignored the kids and me and seemed to focus entirely on the old woman and her side, I wasn't meant to know. There were fourteen in total--if some weren't hiding beyond my means to discern them--and they didn't bother putting on masks or with any theatrics.

Besides, I really don't think they were some kind of mountain bandits, what with their fancy, silver robes and fresh appearances as though they'd walked out of a freakin' painting and those polished weapons hanging loosely either from their waists or backs. The youngest looked to be in his teens, and the oldest looked to be in his forties, and none showed an ounce of fear--well, they showed little beyond looks of abject derision, truth be told.

Kind of reminded me of the way Lao Shun looked at me the first time we met. Ah. How the times have changed. I glanced over at Shuren and saw her actually frown, prompting me to frown, too. As soon as one of the fourteen broke off as the leader--the man who looked to be in his thirties, sporting short, brown hair and a jawline that could cut mountains--I used my Creator's Eyes on him. [--Host is too weak to view the target] [Spend 150 CP to partially view target's status?]... I mean, yeah, sure.

At this point, it'd be weirder if I could see anyone's status. To be honest, I've felt for a while that the pace of the world is outmatching mine; I have a feeling I should still be holed up somewhere on a mountain, taking in some young crapshoots as Disciples, nestled in some low-end corner of the world. And yet, here I am, wrestling with gods and demigods and who knows what the heck else. [150CP consumed] [...] [Creator's Eyes used] [Target: Qian Chun] [Age: 983] [Talent:???] [Cultivation Realm: Peak Immortal Foundations Realm] [Cultivation Method:???] [Cultivation Arts: All-Seeing Fire Sutra (???), Enshrined Fire Blade Art (peak-Jade)...] [...] [Traits] [Demonic (???) -- practitioner of Demonic Qi in its primal form; made a contract with Demon '???', granting him the ability to conceal the demonic nature of his Qi] [Arrogant (Divine) -- he views the entire humanity as beneath him and considers himself a few steps above the rest] [Bloodthirsty (Legendary) -- due to the improper cultivation of Demonic Qi, his mind has slowly been eroded, leaving him in want of blood periodically. Will go on a berserk rampage if not fulfilled. Extremely likely that his mind will become wholly eroded in due time] [Empress-Born (???) -- born as a direct descendant of '???' Empress. Due to inadequate talents and circumstances, he was banished and disowned, never learning his true lineage] [Host cannot view the remaining Traits] [...] [Assessing suitability...] [Several anomalies discovered...] [Host may see two] [...] [Demonic Devourment -- in the process of being completely eroded by Demonic Qi. Due to the nature of human bodies, they have no natural resistance to improper cultivation with Demonic Qi, unlike Demon Constitutions. While proper cultivation leads to impressive results, it has to remain perfect, as even a minor mistake can lead to slow erosion of conscience. It is estimated that the entity known as 'Qian Chun' will cease to exist within the next 50 years, with only a mad, demonic husk left behind to rampage until it is either put down, or runs out of Demonic Qi] If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. [Elemental Heart Physique (Incomplete) (???) -- a special physique that can only be passed down from the maternal side of the lineage, it grants absolute control over elemental Qi found in nature, as well as absolute affinity with Elemental Spirits. Those with the physique can never be harmed by elements and will instead find them to be a luxurious elixir. They may embody any one of the elements and will immediately reach '??? mastery of all arts and methods centralized around one or multiple elements. However, their bodies will forever remain 'Mortal'. Even upon reaching the Imperial Realm, they will not undergo the transformation toward the Immortal Constitution. While their lifespans are generally retained through breakthroughs, they are susceptible to even the most minor poisons and may die if left untreated] [A grave anomaly was discovered in the target's Physique -- due to complications at birth, one of the central vessels connected to the heart and one responsible for maintaining elemental equilibrium enlarged, leading to asymmetric distribution of elements. While the target retained a good number of positives from the physique, they were all severely restricted and 'mortalized', as Imperials dubbed it] [...] [Recommendation: should host wish to take the target in as a Disciple, the first recommendation is to fix the Demonic Devourment; as it has progressed greatly and corruption had already seeped into the brain, there are only two avenues: the first is to consume '???' Elixir, and the second is to forcibly extract ALL Demonic Qi from the target and put them into stasis for centuries as their body naturally recovers. The target's cultivation will be wholly reset, and it may damage their natural talents] [Final assessment: a somewhat unfortunate talent that could have flourished decently. However, due to numerous factors--including the personal disposition--the target is forever meant to remain a fleck within the history books and will always be known merely as an 'Imperial Shame', rather than a person unto themselves] Huh. I wonder just how many times I've exclaimed 'Huh' after reading through somebody's status window. Even when I think I've gotten used to seeing big shots, bam, a new big shot with something uniquely 'big' about them blindsides me.

Oddly, the thing that stands out the most, to me, is that his 'Arrogant' trait is 'Divine' level. Long Tao's is 'merely' at 'Legendary'. Just how self-absorbed do you have to be to be more arrogant than an actual former Emperor? Plenty, I imagine.

"You followed me even here?" Qian Shuren broke the silence. Right, his surname is also 'Qian'. Is he her brother or something?

"I came here before you, Sister," he said, his voice... strange. I can't quite put my finger to it, but it reminded me of when my voice started cracking back in high school, and I tried real hard to keep it as deep as possible. I just know that's not his actual voice.

"So, wouldn't it be that you followed me here?"

"Hah. Does Master know?"

"Master knows everything."

"I spared you the last time, but it looks like lessons with you never stick."

"Heh. Indeed; I've always appreciated that you were such a sentimental fool, Sister. Par for the course for the human animal that you are," hoh. Look at him.

"Alas, it must be my lucky day. I happened to learn that those exercising the Pilgrimage have to seal their cultivation realms, and breaking the rule means corrupting your soul for all eternity."

"... even with that, you had to bring these things with you?"

"Father insisted, I'm afraid, to make sure you truly died this time," he said.

"Hah. Father. When did I ever hear a child hold such loathing and resentment toward their Father besides you?"

"He's a tool," the man said with a grin.

"Just like the rest of you. Tools meant to assist me in my reaching of the Imperial Realm. If only you had acknowledged that earlier, you would have had a peaceful death. Alas." Wow. I really, really want to punch him in the face.

"Hey," oh no. Long Tao, what the hell are you doing?

"Rotten soul wearing pathetic human carcass," Hm? Okay, that's not just playful ribbing--Long Tao is genuinely pissed off for some reason. His voice drew attention to our little side that had been ignored all this while.

"Why does the blood of that worthless, beguiling, pathetic whore cruise through your forsaken veins?"... ah. No rest for the wicked, I suppose. Ever.