46 Excruciating Pain, Determined Path
''----''
''Albeit not taking Azridan''s words lightly
Apollo was still slightly unprepared for the spectacle that was about to reveal itself. An overbearing sensation washed over his mind. The immensity of the information being imparted was mind-numbing
literally.''
''Gripping his head
Apollo fell to his knees. The pain which followed the transference of information was overbearing. His eyes widened and reddened as the veins on his neck and forehead protruded.''
''Writhing in pain
his screams were stuck in his throat. "T-too much! So much information-..." Apollo struggled to continue grasping the threads of his consciousness. Furthermore
there was a problem! The information flowing into his mind became increasingly cryptic. Soon enough
giving in to the pain
Apollo fell unconscious for a notable amount of time.''
''When he awoke
a ray of sunlight shined on his face.''
''"U-ugh…"''
''Moving with a small groan
Apollo was confronted with a sluggish
haze-inducing amount of information in his mind. It was so much so
even moving caused the remnants of the prior experience to appear causing a brief mind-numbing headache.''
''"This hurts...I know I said I can bear it
but that was horrible!" exclaimed Apollo as he stood up holding his head. However
as he calmed down and regained clarity he realized there were two ridiculous tablet-like walls of words within his mind.''
''One was archaic and completely obsidian with crimson writing with a large majority of it made obscure whereas the other was a crimson hue with silver writing. However
each stroke seemed to contain some type of energy that incited terrible emotions.''
''''What is all this?'' inwardly muttered Apollo awestruck by the substantial size of these things. with a [Monarch''s War Path Record]? Is this a training method?''''
''[No
that is not a training method. It is a technique. More precisely
it is a set of techniques for you to practice. However
to do so you will mostly need a weapon. Seldom will you find a technique in there that does require a weapon as a medium; well
for now at least.]''
''Focusing on the information
Apollo realized it was as Azridan said. The [Record of the Monarch''s War Path] was a compilation of weapon techniques. But strangely enough
they seemed to all belong to long weapons.''
''''Azridan
is there a reason that almost everything I learn has to do with long weapons?''''
''[Oh yes
there is indeed a reason. The inheritance weapon you will receive is reminiscent of their dimensions. As such
you will need to be familiar with wielding one.]''
''''Oh
what type of weapon will it be?''''
''[A surprise
heh. Now focus on that other method in your mind. It is what you truly need to understand.]''
''Nodding
Apollo closed his eyes and focused on the other information. Compared to this massive amount of information he tried to decrypt; the Way of the War Demon Record was a drop in the ocean.''
''"Huh?! What does all this say?" blurted Apollo as his face contorted in confusion.''
''There was simply too much information in his mind. Not to mention
6 portions of the information was blurred and indecipherable.''
''''Azridan
I can''t understand anything!''''
''[No
that is because you''re focusing on the wrong thing. Focus on the absolute top of the information.]''
''Following his instruction
Apollo focused his thoughts on the top of the pillar of information. To his surprise
at the top were a couple of crystal clear words.''
''''Wrath is a sin of unimaginable power. Above all
it can consume you
however
strength is drawn when one harnesses it. To withstand wrath is to understand one''s self. When one realizes their sin
the Hellfire shall cleanse the body and give birth to the first stigmata; the Infernal Ira Seal...''''
''"U-uh...what...does this mean Azridan?"''
''[Well first and foremost
this is your training method. Seeing as you are my successor
we''ll need to prepare you to walk the path of sin wholeheartedly. Hence
I have given you my cultivation method.]''
''The information pertaining to the cultivation method appeared before Apollo''s eyes as he remained stuck in thought:''
''Skill Name: Supreme Demon Body: 7 Sinful Stigmata''
''Rank: Demonic (Supreme)''
''Type: Cultivation Method''
''Level: 1/7''
''Information: The Supreme Art perfected by the illustrious Azridan T''hkrain who walked the path of a Monarch. In the world of the demons
there can only be one Monarch; he who is the culmination of all. Like any other race
demons train themselves—only they harness the power of the sins. To reach the pinnacle
one''s must reach supremacy of themselves.''
''[?Unlocked Segments?]-''
''?Infernal Ira Stigmata?: Following the correct pathways
one conjures the Nether Hell Flames of the abyss to instigate Wrath. Minimum requirements to engrave the stigmata listed below:''
''Minimum Stat Requirement: Strength: 50.0
Vitality: 45.0
Intelligence: 45.0''
''Minimum Cultivation Requirement: Zul Warrior''
''Inner Physique Requirement: Spirit Grade.''
''Note: One is allowed to prime themselves with this cultivation method without engraving the stigmata in preparation for the actual feat.''
''〈Mantra: Wrath is power; I don''t seek it
however
I fall within its embrace. Burning all
wrath ignites. The flames of my Ira are boundless!〉''
''Abilities: ???''
''?????''
''.''
''.''
''.''
''"Azridan these requirements… Although they''re not too far off. I was expecting to be able to immediately cultivate this
" stated Apollo with a slight frown. Not only did he need to increase his inner physique a grade
but he also lacked the necessary attributes and cultivation at the moment.''
''[Don''t be impatient
you haven''t even opened your Dantian yet. Even if you cultivate this now
you would run into a bottleneck. After all
the Dantian is vital! Otherwise
I would have immediately given this to you. Instead
let us prime your body. Even though you can''t activate the stigmata. We can use the auxiliary effect of this method for its intended purposes—to cultivate.]''
''"Hmm
Dantian? If I recall properly
then that''s the special organ that is awakened during the process of becoming a Zul Warrior. Then
you mean to say I''ll achieve the power I seek in one step at that point?" questioned Apollo as he entered deep thought.''
''[Not quite
what you will meet is PAIN! You must fail to understand exactly what Hellfire is. It is something birthed from the smoldering abyss. If you look forward to its embrace
I question your sanity.]''
''Widening his eyes
Apollo then frowned
"What?! No
I question you! Why does everything that leaves your mouth have to do with pain? Is the demonic race some type of gathering of masochists?" exclaimed Apollo. At this point
he was becoming infuriated by the fact that he was experiencing more pain than power these days.''
''[No… Well… Yes
in a sense. I guess you can say that. After all
utilizing the harnessed sins is a type of self-mutilating practice.]''
''"Oh
thank go-... What? You just admitted to it? Ugh…" groaned Apollo as he clutched his head beginning to dread his future.''
''[It''ll be even worse. Therefore
brace yourself. You haven''t even taken a look at the techniques you need to train in. The only thing I can recommend is to keep your goal in mind at all times. You''d be surprised what a singular goal can help you achieve.]''
''"There go my hopes and dreams
" wryly chuckled Apollo.''
''[Stop that useless sulking. Instead
it is time to cultivate properly. Since you have them
retrieve those Essence Cores from your pouch. Emulate the set of circulation pathways and hand seals to begin familiarizing yourself with Natural Essence.]''
''"The set of circulation pathways? Oh
you mean this vague shadow in my head of a person sitting with one hand over the other palm using strange hand seals. Not to mention
the large vacancy between them?"''
''[Yes
precisely so. If you focus your conscience on the shadow and decipher the diagram
it will teach you the proper ways to circulate and the location of the meridians.]''
''Sitting down on the ground
Apollo crossed his legs sitting in a lotus position while closing his eyes. Retiring his complete attention to the vague shadow''s action
Apollo tried to copy them.''
''Lifting this left hand
he pointed his left palm downward as his right palm slid under facing upward. The Natural Essence which existed in the atmosphere began to slowly migrate towards him. Initially
it was slow
however
it progressively gained speed. In about a minute
the Natural Essence soon pressed against his skin.''
''However
as it did so
Apollo slammed opened his eyes and coughed up a mouthful of blackened blood! Furthermore
his face contorted.''
''[As I said
you were eager. Now you understand by what I mean; cultivation is full of pain. Unfortunately
you have yet to even begin. You must understand your path varies greatly from the rest.]''