Chapter 67 - Spirit Road Part 2

"People are reincarnated over all the planets in the Mortal Realm, no matter the galaxy or universe. We see all our descendants reincarnate in an endless cycle. You, Miura Agemo, are one lucky man to live two lives. Well, should I call you Shu, Agemo, or the name you gave yourself due to Project S: Omega? Agemo spelled backwards?" the chief smiled.

Meng Wan stared at Shu in shock as he blurted, "You know about my past life? About Project S?"

"Indeed. Even though science is mediocre in your present world, your scientific advancements were so far above the rest of the world, you were hunted and killed for it. Worry not, the kids and scientists you saved continued your work. Do you know why all your memories don't return?" the chief asked as Shu shook his head. "It is because it is too much for you to handle without going insane. True, science brings great benefits but the minds of the naïve, ignorant, and corrupt turn even the greatest and kindest gift of all into the worst monstrosity. An example would be what your world call nuclear warheads. Such a devastating weapon is blasphemous to the Heavens."

"They managed to salvage some of my research...." Shu paled as he fell on his knees. "I don't know how many years passed since I first fled the Keepers of the Dead."

"Over three millennia passed. The Earth you knew is long gone. Worry not. Thanks to you, mankind was able to escape Earth and expand into the rest of the stars in your planet. Most live on satellite colonies or on Mars. Some still live on Earth, but it is not what it used to be," the chief answered sadly. "Those idiot scientists are to blame for that. While living, you were hailed as a devil. Many centuries later, you are the reason humanity survives. Those children you saved were able to live in Mars without fear of the air and with stronger physiques to survive as they made the first colony. True, the scientists who stole some data killed millions with the knowledge, you killing them indirectly; billions were saved."

One palm held Shu's face as he cried while leaning back, saying, "Thank you. I...heard about millions dying because of me. I......tha....thank you."

"Lu Shu," Meng Wan said and placed a hand on his shoulder as he calmed down. "You did a good thing. You shouldn't cry about it. According to the chief, you saved more lives than the lives taken through the abuse of this 'science' the chief spoke of."

"So you are saying all live is reincarnated?" Shu asked as he calmed down.

"Indeed. Your spiritual body is a tiger is it not? We, the Tiger Tribe, can track the lives of those who used to be one of us. Even if you do not remember your past lives, we do," the chief said. "We are neither mortal or immortal. We are beings who watch over the universe and guide the souls on their way. Just as you have come here to make a totem and awaken as Practitioners of your respective immortal paths, others have come for rites of their own current worlds. Most do not reincarnate as their souls are caught by the Keepers of the Dead. Before you are eight elite warriors of the Tiger Tribe. As it has been so long since a clansmen came from the Mortal Realms, I assembled the best we have this time around."

"Pick among the warriors?" Meng Wan asked, relieved Lu Shu was alright.

"Indeed. Meng Wan, due to your current physical body, you may choose among six of the eight here. Lu Shu, as you have your tiger stripes, you may choose among all eight here. Your current body qualifies to withstand any of the eight here," the chief said. "You have eyes of an Old God, bonded with a Saint level magical beast, and have demon blood, evident as the lone horn on your head still remains. Others might think it is an effect through some experience, but we have been watching you through all your lives."

"The Lu Imperial Clan's ancestor really is a demon," Meng Wan gasped. "I heard the legends but the purity of demon blood, although dominant over human blood, has to have been diluted over all the generations. So two of the three conditions I have not qualified to earn my tiger stripes. I have a Saint level magical beast."

"Smart girl. Your clan is as impressive as always. Yes, Shu. The Meng Clan is among the ancient clans," the chief said as if he could read Shu's mind. "It is a prestigious clan. Now, allow me to elaborate on the choices. Each of these eight warriors will give a trial. Once you pass the trial, you will return here, signifying completion and will return to the Mortal Realm after we give a small gift to you. When you return, your appearance will be as it is now. Even if you pick the same warrior, you will have different trials as you follow different immortal paths. Now, choose wisely."

"Which of you will allow me to cultivate the Sundering Thorn Scripture?" Shu asked, stunning the elite shaman warriors.

"So that book did tell you that technique," the chief murmured. "Well, seeing as you have your tiger stripes, I will allow you to undergo my trial. Same goes for you, Meng Wan. You have an Abominable Soul, your spirit beast contains two conflicting elements of fire, wood, and earth. Earth and fire exist in harmony as lava and magma. Earth and wood exist in harmony by woods existence. However, fire burns wood and wood becomes ash. I suppose this is another reason the Heavens have not sent anyone as well."

"Choosing you must be the best option," Shu said, Wan nodding in agreement.

"Very well. The choice has been made. There are a total of three trials. Two are the same for all, though the minor details may be different. The first trial is fusing with your spiritual body. The second trial is communing with the Spirit Beast. This trial is only given if you absorb a Spirit Beast's essence at the same time you make your totem. In this way, your totem will be more powerful than others as you only enter Spirit Road once, in your current lifetime," the chief began. "The third trial is dependent on two factors: the immortal path you chose and the method you chose to make your totem. During the third trial, your Practitioner weapon, whatever it may be, will be able to appear and disappear in its final transformation. Once both of you finish your trials, you will return here for your small gift. Do note that the more spirit reactors you have, the harsher it is to grow the power of your totem. For the record, please state how many spirit reactors and energies you have in your Soul Realm."

"I have eight spirit reactors and four types of energy," Meng Wan said, causing Shu to stare at her in shock.

"Eight?......Wow. I have five spirit reactors and three types of energy," Shu said, recovering from the shock.

"She has eight because they are all the same. Originally, it was the largest spirit reactor I ever saw a descendant have, but her body could not contain it. Her ancient clan was somehow able to fragment it into pieces of eight and Meng Wan was able to absorb it into her body. Overtime, they will fuse and become one once more," the chief smiled. "When you exit the tent, you will appear in the Spirit Road's Crystal Trial Caverns. That is where you will face your trials. Good luck. The next time we meet, if you survive, you will be taking your first steps on the path of your immortal cultivation. Good luck, son and daughter of the Tiger. May we meet again."

"May the Tiger protect her cubs and keep you," the elite warriors chanted in unison as Shu and Wan exited.

"Chief, what are their chances?" one of the elite warriors asked as the duo left.

"Slim. They are much too powerful. The more power, the higher the price. The Spirit Road only makes you stronger. If two people arrive with a difference in strength, they will leave with the same difference. Each person is risen proportionately," the chief smiled.

"And their chances of surviving the judgment of Tiger and the Pantheon of Devils?" another asked.

"They are the beloved of the Tiger. The third trial is not influenced by the Tiger. As for the latter matter, I do not know. Only one of our descendants went to that planet's Pantheon of Devil. There are equivalents in some worlds, but they are also different. We can only watch and expect the next visitors to be as entertaining. All for the glory of Tiger," the chief said.

Shu covered his eyes as a blinding light forced him to avert his gaze and cover his eyes as he walked through the door. As he did, Meng Wan held his hand and gave it a tight squeeze before it disappeared. He opened his eyes and saw a crystal cavern all around him. The walls were made of crystal. The floors and ceiling were made of crystals. The most prominent color was a radiant purple, just like the crystal shell fragment of Tralagafa the Magnificent. He followed the tunnel to a clearing. Within was a giant white tiger wearing the same armor and mask on its limb and face that he wore when he materialized it. It was the Armored Ocean Tiger God spirit!

"You have come, at last. I am you and I am the Armored Ocean Tiger God spirit. We are one and the same, two halves split according to the Mandate of the Heavens, a rule set by Creation," the spirit said. "You wish to become one with me once more. To become an immortal, an existence expelled by the threads from Fate and Death's Book. A being capable of defying the fate of his mortal existence and immune from death through expiration of the body's time. That is what you seek, is it not?"

"Yes. I wish to be immortal and control my own fate. To shape my destiny and course as I see fit," Shu nodded.

"You realize you are changing Creation's product? You already control the elements. Compared to the people of Earth, you're already a god among men. You are a true Archon, you cultivate the very life force of the planets through that black scorpion tattoo on your back. You're eyes are already more powerful than most. Fusing with me, you will be able to harness the power of a totem. Is that what you wish?" the spirit asked.

"It is," Shu nodded.

"Very well. The first trial, resolve, is complete. To you, all that I am and all that we are, I restore and bequeath," the spirit said, turning into a cerulean energy that went into Shu. Shu's eyes opened as he felt his body brimming with power. His bones became stronger, his organs and arteries became protected, and his sensitivity to spirit energy increased. The armor he once materialized now became an armor over his Mystic Crystal. Somehow, he knew his Great Spirit Integration technique reached a whole new level altogether.

As Shu looked ahead, another tunnel appeared. Shu swallowed and proceeded into the tunnel. After what felt like days in the bright winding tunnel, Shu appeared in another clearing. This time, he saw the guardian lion, the Holy Spirit Beast he saw chained once before. It was vibrant with life, no longer in the poor and pitiful state it once was. It looked at him, flames burning from its paws. He felt his tiger stripes flare and his body began to pump adrenaline, as if he was a tiger attempting to overthrow the lion and prove its dominance.

"You've arrived. I must thank you, human. Because of you, I am free of those infernal chains that held me prisoner for centuries. Do you know why I only I was chained in that chamber?" the guardian lion asked. "It is because I slaughtered a battalion of Yan's army that ventured near my territory. I believe one of your ancestor's favorite kin was the battalion commander. I was imprisoned for biting of his head and feeding on his flesh."

"You killed someone and faced an unintended requiem. That is the fate for all who kill," Shu said. "You should have known attacking an army had its consequences. Any smart magical beast would have fled."

"Indeed. I was too rash. Do you know what happens to me when your totem is made with my essence?" the guardian lion asked as Shu shook his head. "It is as if you gain a magical beast outside the normal three allowed. However, my life force is tied to yours. When you die, I die. If I die, you can resurrect me after a time. The me you see now will revert into a cub, my memories lost. My power remains. When you use your ultimate trump card, you and I temporarily fuse into one being and you wield the power and physique of a Holy Beast Spirit. I die, to be reborn once again. I can only grow as I consume the bodies of others. My potential is only limited by how many bodies I feed and the power of those bodies when it was once living."

"Can you tell me about Sword Immortals?" Shu asked. "Why is your essence necessary? Are there no substitutes?"

"They turn the very spirit energy inside them into swords. Your totem can create an emerald colored force field spirit energy to protect yourself and will be able to summon chains of emerald, like the tiger stripes beneath your eyes. These chains can be used to bind others. The totem also has other abilities. What I described were basic totem abilities any Sword Immortal cultivator could use. The radiant purple crystal will change my eyes into that color, the same as the tattoos on your shoulders of me. My essence is not only absorbed by the totem, a part of it will be absorbed into your very being. You will have my tyrannical strength and your regenerative abilities, if an attack breaks through your defenses, will be instantaneous," the guardian lion said. "My essence is necessary because your soul cannot withstand the spirit energy in your body without it. My essence empowers your own."

"What of the Sword Immortal's essence?" Shu asked.

"With it, you will reach the tenth stage. A small portion of your spirit energy will convert into emerald sword spirit energy. Even though you are still a mortal, you can still use a Sword Immortal's technique. As you absorbed his essence, you will be able to use sword spirit blast techniques. Swings of your sword can create a wave of spirit energy that destroys and explodes as it hits the intended target. Think of it as a sword wave technique with explosive properties," the guardian lion answered. "Do you wish to accept these changes?"

"Yes," Shu said as the guardian lion vanished. At his side, a cub appeared, it looked just like the guardian lion with white fur and a black, curled mane shaped as if it were carved on a statue. Its eyes were a radiant purple and even had small crystals form on its back slanted toward the rear. The cub yawned and it vanished. Shu could still feel its presence as it seemed to be within his Soul Realm, sleeping atop of a white wooden totem with glowing, purple carvings made of crystal on the sides of the totem. He had successfully made his totem. Now all he needed was to pass the third trial to return as a Sword Immortal cultivator and keep his life.