Most airships didn't have ditation chambers. I wasn't sure why. I think they interfered with an airship's ability to fly, or sothing along those lines. However, the Vanguard of Vengeance was an exception. Again, I didn't know why. Maybe it was because it was larger than most airships, or maybe because it was just built different. I wasn't an artificer.
I could find the answer if I asked Lord Dominic, but I feared my eyes would glaze over within five minutes. Whenever he explained the nitty gritty of artificing, he liked to use a lot of jargon and technical terms that went over my head.
After we left the war room, Grandmother Sky brought to the deck with all the ditation chambers. All of them were the sa, so it didn't matter which one we used. Or so I thought. When we entered the one that my great grandmother had prepared, I realized this wasn't the case.
In addition to the usual mana gathering runic circle all ditation chambers had, there was an additional runic circle painted outside of the first, forming a second layer. I gave Grandmother Sky a questioning look. She quirked an eyebrow at in return.
"Did you think consuming a spirit core would be a simple matter?" she asked in a sardonic tone.
"A little bit, yes."
Grandmother Sky rolled her eyes.
"Fool," she said. "It's a good thing you waited for before taking it. Otherwise, who knows what you would've done to yourself."
I almost pointed out that I hadn't been waiting for her, per se. Rather, I wanted to wait until after our group left Templeton. That wasn't the only reason, but it was one of the bigger ones.
"So what makes it different from, say, the heart of the iron-backed turtle that Grandfather Gabriel gave to ?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky didn't respond right away. Instead, she pointed towards the center of the modified runic circle. I walked over and sat down, while she sat across from , outside of the runic circle.
"Consuming a spirit core ans forming a second mana core," Grandmother Sky said. "And it cos with all the sa risks. In fact, consuming a spirit core is even riskier, since the mana it contains is far more wild and powerful."
I frowned.
"Wait, by consuming the spirit core, I need to form a second mana core? I thought that was just a saying."
Grandmother Sky shook her head.
"No, it's real. When you consu the spirit core, you will have to form a second mana core. Otherwise, you'll die."
Well, damn. I knew there were risks involved with consuming a spirit core, which was one of the reasons why I waited so long, but I hadn't realized they were this severe. Still, that wasn't going to stop . Consuming the spirit core would give a significant boost to my cultivation, I would also gain a second mana core, which I needed if I wanted to deal with our enemies.
"Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the risks involved," Grandmother Sky said, gesturing to the second runic circle. "This will help you maintain control of the spirit core's mana. However, it will still be dangerous. If you weren't a transmigrator, I would've tried to stop you."
I nodded.
"I understand," I said. "Thank you for your help, Grandmother Sky."
She made a dismissive gesture.
"As your ancestor and senior, it's my responsibility to guide and advise you," she said. "Besides, you're my sister's student."
Her words ward my heart. However, when she next spoke, my good will towards her disappeared.
"By helping you with sothing as important as this, I can get revenge on my sister," Grandmother Sky said with a twisted smile on her face. "A small revenge, but revenge nonetheless."
I gave my great grandmother an odd look. I was beginning to think that she might've been the stranger sister.
"You're an inspiration for the younger generation, Grandmother Sky," I said in a sardonic tone.
Grandmother Sky gave a withering look, but didn't respond. Instead, she moved the conversation along.
"In addition to this runic circle," Grandmother sky said. "You'll need to use the right cultivation technique. Which one are you using now?"
I told her about the Storm Dragon technique, which I developed with Teacher's help.
"That's a good cultivation technique," Grandmother Sky admitted. "Under other circumstances, it would've been suitable, since it matched you perfectly. However, that's no longer the case."
I frowned at her.
"What do you an?"
Grandmother Sky held up three fingers.
"Three factors determine the suitability of a cultivation technique," she said. "One's elental affinities, one's soul, and one's body."
"Yes, I know that. Teacher and I created the Storm Dragon cultivation technique with all of those in mind. No other cultivation technique matches as much as it does."
In fact, the Storm Dragon cultivation technique matched even more in Gabriel Sturm's body than it had when I was in Brandon Norwood's body due to my draconic ancestry.
"That used to be the case," Grandmother Sky said. "However, things changed when you ford a contract with your familiar." She smirked. "The contract gave you a new elental affinity, changed your soul, and even affected your body."
I stared at her, stunned.
"Is that why my cultivation slowed down?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky nodded.
"That's part of the reason, yes."
Aurora, who had been listening in on our conversation, sent an apology through our bond. I reassured her, telling her that it wasn't her fault. I knew what I had been getting into when I ford a contract with her. I've never regretted that decision, not once.
"So, what? Are we going to have to create a new cultivation technique?"
That was easier said than done. It took Teacher and I years to create the Storm Dragon cultivation technique. The process involved a lot of trial and error. We didn't have the ti to spare.
"No," Grandmother Sky said. "I have a special cultivation technique that I acquired by chance in my youth. It's the one I use now."
She reached into her inventory ring and pulled out a leather-bound to. I took the to and skimd its contents. Nothing about it stood out to .
"What's so special about this cultivation technique?" I asked, still skimming the to. "It looks rather mundane to , as far as cultivation techniques go. Subpar, even."
From what I saw, this cultivation technique wasn't restricted by one's elental affinities or one's physique. This made it far more accessible, but far less powerful.
"I thought the sa when I first acquired it," she said. "And for most people, it is a subpar cultivation technique. However, there is more to this technique than ets the eye." She gestured to the to. "This technique was created for those who have died and transmigrated."
I stopped skimming the to and stared at her.
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"How is that even possible?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky shook her head.
"I don't know," she said. "While I managed to decipher so of this cultivation technique's secrets, the rest remain a mystery to . I believe I need to et certain requirents first. However, from what I discovered, this technique is centered around the soul."
The mont I heard that, my blood ran cold. My mind went to the Wandering Witch. According to Tempest, she was a master of soul magic. Did she have a hand in this? I wasn't sure. It wouldn't surprise . Regardless, I beca even more wary of this cultivation technique.
"First," Grandmother Sky continued. "This cultivation technique empowers the soul, and allows one to draw power from it. It's similar to Holy magic in a way. However, instead of a god's divinity, you rely on the power of your soul."
After sparring with the rest of my companions, I knew how powerful Holy magic could be. For Priest Jai and Priestess Natille, this allowed them to use powers and abilities related to their respective gods.
For Anna, Leroy, and Cally, it empowered them and set them above others at the sa level. If it weren't for my spirit magic, I would've fallen far behind them by this point.
"Second, this cultivation technique changes the rest of your being to match your soul," Grandmother Sky said.
"What do you an?"
Grandmother Sky gestured to herself.
"When I first transmigrated to Lumina," she said. "I looked similar to my old self but not the sa. Not only that, but instead of both air and water, I only had an affinity for water. However, after I started cultivating with this technique, my elental affinities and my physique changed to match my soul. It's the reason why I've reached Sixth Star. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today."
I stared at Grandmother Sky in disbelief. If she was speaking the truth, and I had no reason to believe otherwise, then this was a heaven-shaking cultivation technique.
"How did you manage to get your hands on sothing like this?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky wore a wistful expression on her face.
"As I said, I acquired it by chance in my youth," she said. "I used to be an adventurer. One day, while exploring a ruin, I ca across an abode that once belonged to a transmigrator from First Murim. That was where I found this cultivation technique. According to a note I found nearby, that transmigrator created this cultivation technique for others like himself, lost souls who found themselves in a strange new world."
"Did that note tell you anything else about this technique?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky shook her head.
"No," she said. "It only explained who the technique was for, but nothing else. The note didn't even tell who the creator was. Everything I know about it, I learned through my own efforts."
I studied the to for a few monts, before I looked back up at Grandmother Sky.
"I'm surprised you risked cultivating with this technique," I said. "In your shoes, I don't know if I would've done the sa. I have you to explain things for , but you had no one."
Grandmother Sky shrugged.
"I was desperate," she said. "Back in First Murim, my sister and I were geniuses. However, here in Lumina, I beca third-rate trash." She gave a self-deprecating smile. "It was quite the humbling experience."
I understood a little of what she went through. Here on Lumina, I was born into one of the most prestigious families in the entire Solarian Empire. On Earth, I was born to a pair of abusive, alcoholic deadbeats. A jarring transition, to say the least.
"You really think I should cultivate with this technique?" I asked.
Grandmother Sky snorted.
"Of course," she said. "I wouldn't have brought it out otherwise. You are a transmigrator as well. This technique was created for people like us." She frowned. "I don't know why, but the act of dying and transmigrating refines the soul sohow. Changes it. Empowers it. This cultivation technique makes use of that."
I frowned. As suspicious as I found the technique, Grandmother Sky's words tempted .
"What is this technique called?" I asked.
"The Wandering Soul Technique."
I closed my eyes and sighed. Of course it was called that. By this point, this was either one of the Wandering Witch's sches, or this was all so massive coincidence.
"Well?" Grandmother Sky asked. "Are you going to use this technique or not?"
I opened my eyes and nodded.
"Of course," I said. "I'd be a fool not to."
Which was true. Even if getting my hands on this technique was the result of the Wandering Witch's scheming, that changed nothing. I needed to beco more powerful in order to protect my ho and loved ones. If the Wandering Soul Technique was better suited for than the Storm Dragon Technique, then I saw no reason not to use it.
That didn't an I was happy about the situation.
"Good," Grandmother Sky said, giving a slight smile. "Thoroughly read through the technique. When you're done, I'll offer you so pointers. Afterwards, I'll help you as you consu the spirit core. Any objections?"
I shook my head.
"None whatsoever."
With that, I began reading the Wandering Soul Technique rather than skimming through it. At first, like before, I noticed nothing special about it. However, the more I read, the more I felt a sort of resonance with this cultivation technique. It seed to speak to on a fundantal level, sowhere below thought, mory, and language.
I wasn't the only one either.
'Gabriel,' Aurora said through our bond. 'I think I can cultivate with this technique as well.'
That surprised .
'Truly?'
Aurora gave the ntal equivalent of a nod.
'I transmigrated between realms too, rember?'
A fair point.
'That's not why I was surprised. You're a spirit. Don't spirits use different cultivation thods than flesh and blood beings?'
'We do. However, this cultivation technique focuses on the soul. I believe it also applies to spirits.'
What she said made sense. However, I couldn't help but feel worried.
'What if sothing bad happens?'
'I'll be careful,' Aurora promised. 'If I sense sothing start to go wrong, I'll stop.' She paused. 'However, I don't think that will happen. In fact, a part of believes we should cultivate this technique at the sa ti. Call it a hunch.'
While a part of remained skeptical, I felt inclined to trust Aurora on this. I trusted my intuition a great deal, and it worked out for . Well, most of the ti.
'Very well,' I said. 'Let's do it.'
I continued reading the Wandering Soul Technique, committing it to mory. When I finished, I received so guidance from Grandmother Sky. She cleared all of my questions, and clarified so parts of the cultivation technique that hadn't made sense to . She also suggested that I form my second mana core in my dantian region.
Once I felt sure enough to begin, I ditated to settle my ntal state before I took out the spirit core and consud it. Grandmother Sky sat nearby and watched over , ready to intervene in case sothing went wrong.
The spirit core started to dissolve as soon as I swallowed it. It released a massive amount of mana. Not only that, but the mana it released was wilder than the mana I was used to. It was as if the spirit core had contained a storm, which I had just released.
The mana rampaged through my body, tearing at my mana veins. Despite this, I remained calm. I started to cultivate using the thod described in the Wandering Soul Technique. However, instead of directing the spirit core's mana into my mana core, I used it to form a second core in my dantian region.
This was easier said than done. The spirit core's mana fought against my control, like a wild beast that refused to be tad. The Wandering Soul Technique helped a little, but it wasn't enough. I felt my control start to slip. If that happened, I feared that I would explode.
However, before things reached that point, an outside force intervened. It soothed the spirit core's mana, cald it, making it easier to control.
That must've been the runic circle that Grandmother Sky prepared.
I sent a ntal thank you towards my great grandmother, before I focused on forming my second mana core. At the sa ti, I felt Aurora start to cultivate as well. This confused , since I hadn't expected her to start cultivating the Wandering Soul Technique at this mont, but I remained calm. I trusted my familiar. She wouldn't do anything to harm .
That's when sothing interesting happened.
After the mana from the spirit core made a full circuit through my body, it traveled through my bond with Aurora and entered her body. After going through my familiar, the mana returned back to . However, it was purer, more refined, than before. This made it both easier to control, and more potent.
This went on until the spirit core fully dissolved into mana. Aurora and I refined the last of the mana, before I directed it into my dantian region. Just like when I ford my first mana core, I concentrated and condensed the mana into a ball. It fought back, trying to break free, but my will held firm. Pressure built up inside , until it felt as if my body was bursting at the seams.
And then my second mana core ignited.
It sucked in all the mana in my body, and Aurora's too. I barely managed to keep up thanks to the Wandering Soul Technique and the ditation chamber's runic circle. However, to my surprise, my second mana core settled down soon after. It sat in my dantian region, identical to my first mana core in almost every way.
Huh. That was a surprise, and sothing of an anticlimax. When I ford my first mana core, it also remade my body. I expected the sa thing to happen when I ford my second mana core, but I guess I was wrong.
I opened my eyes and looked at Grandmother Sky. She looked back at with an apologetic expression on her face.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel," she said. "I didn't warn you about this next part because I feared it would distract you."
I opened my mouth to ask what she ant, but then fell over as overwhelming pain washed over . It felt as if my entire body was on fire. My flesh, my bones, my nerves. Everything. It was as if I were burning on the cellular level.
I tried to scream, but nothing ca out.
Worst of all, I didn't even fall unconscious. I remained aware the entire ti. Pain beca my entire world, my everything. I felt my sense of self disintegrate. There was no Gabriel Sturm or Brandon Norwood.
There was only pain.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain disappeared. One mont, it was there. The next, it was all gone. The sudden relief was so sharp and sweet, it was almost as much as the pain itself.
Exhausted beyond human limits, I tried and failed to open my eyes before darkness consud and I fell unconscious.
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