Chapter [B3] 42 — Domain

Chapter [B3] 42 — Domain

I looked around myself in astonishment. I stood in a dark world, without a sky or even a ground, but a forest somehow surrounded me on all sides, with fog blurring my sight and not allowing me to see anything.

The sounds of rustling leaves as something moved around me were the only thing I heard around myself besides the sound of my own breath and the beating of my heart.

Was this the matriarchs spirit? No- no this place was real. My thoughts and mind had little sway or influence in this place. It was a part of the world, overlapping on the actual world around me. Somehow, I can tell this. The real physical and tangible nature of this place and the stability it had only served to unnerve me even further.

Shadows moved around me, and I turned, memories of the assassin returning. But this was different. And in many ways, worse. I could sense the poison lurking in the air, the leaves with hidden thorns ready to prick you and the little creatures waiting patiently for their chance to strike.

This is my domain, boy, the matriarchs voice came from all around me, as the air itself vibrated.

Here, without a domain of your own to fight back, you are at my mercy, she said, as the world around me began to shift. I could sense something waiting in ambush, still and silent, ready to strike.

This is how a master fights. This is how Divinities fight. The difference that separates us from the rest. The matriarch said.

I knew about domains. Of course I did. They were what you obtained to enter the fourth circle, a manifestation of your spirit, and your path. A domain was in many ways a world you imposed upon reality, forcing it to bend to your will by bullying it into submission with power.

It also explained how the empire kept a grasp on its power. Those with a domain held absolute authority over those without, there was little to be done about it unless one could counteract with their own.

I jumped, using Stepping instantly to move aside as a giant pure white serpent leapt out leapt was not quite right. It moved like a mountain being chucked at me, tearing down trees and carving a giant trail in the ethereal black ground.

The creature continued past me, moving across the forest as it raised its head high into the skies, and if there was a sun the place I stood in wouldve been under the serpents shadow. I stepped back as the serpent leaned its head closer to the ground and the matriarch patted its head, before stepping down. Her aura was intense, but it wasnt enough to overwhelm me as I currently was anymore.

I took some amount of pride in that.

Domains are achieved at the tenth realm. Its why no matter how powerful you are, if you lack a domain youll always be weaker than a master, the matriarch said, looking at me. A moment later, she frowned. Of course, with your Path its hard to tell even just that.

I wasnt sure what to make of that, so I simply looked at her. The serpent continued to keep its head down, fog dancing around the destroyed chunk of forest as the Shie matriarch looked at me expectantly.

So, what do you plan to do?

I looked back at her, not sure how to reply. Ask nicely?

The woman looked at me in surprise.

That was a joke, I added, as her gaze made me want to shrink and run away.

Perhaps you do not understand the situation, if you can make such jokes, the Matriarch said as the giant snake hissed next to her. We did say we would not kill you, so you best try to stay alive.

I didnt like where this was going, as the Matriarch stepped back, climbing onto the snake as it raised its head and the swirling mists began to move around me. I didnt wait for the giant thing to attack as I ran into the remaining bits of the forest. Using Stepping, I moved as fast as I possibly could, while the giant serpent gave chase like a bulldozer, knocking down trees like bowling pins. Someone needed to tell the lady that deforestation was a bad thing.

A fivefold sage, a boy walking upon a brand new path, one carrying the divine tree in his soul. You have many achievements to your name, but are you truly all they say? The matriarchs voice echoed once more through the fog. Show your mettle. Prove to us that you are everything they say you are, boy. That you are worthy of the Path you walk.

The serpent hissed as I dodged another strike that took down trees, while the giant creature swung around to take another strike. It felt like I was playing on the palm of her hand. There was no way to hide, she would know every inch of his place and no matter where I would go, she would find me.Embark on an adventure to the origins at Nøv€lß¡n#★

Thankfully, I wasnt planning on hiding, I just needed some time to think. Unfortunately the Shie matriarch didnt seem very inclined to give me that. Her aura descended upon me from all directions, the pressure on my spirit increasing. I stumbled, falling through thorny and almost certainly poisonous bushes, before slowly picking myself up.

Sadly, I didnt have enough time. The snake jumped at me and I turned as its massive mouth and hands were about to pierce my body. I grabbed the giant serpents mouth, holding it open as the snake raised its body up in the air, trying its best to swallow me.

My hands clutched its scales, fingers digging in as Chi channeled to all my limbs for every ounce of strength. I could feel my bones creaking under the pressure. Letting fires rise at my hands, I began to burn the snakes body as it thrashed around, eventually flinging me off. I flew across the domain, crashing into branches before falling down. I got up swiftly, dodging the angered snakes strike, before turning back around.

Calling upon the first law, I let Chi split into Qi and Gu in two balls of energy that formed around my two fists. Bringing them together, I let the energies collide with one another.

The command was absolute, and yet, I knew I could resist it. I had no reason to, and it wouldve helped me to speak, but I did not like being grabbed by the collar. I gathered all the will I could, and when that was not enough, I asked for help. Xuanwus aura mixed with mine, breaking the order as the matriarch stumbled back in shock.

The Old man stepped in front of me. Calm yourself, Zhuihu.

You are you trying to destroy this empire? The matriarch asked, looking at the old man with an expression of grief, as if shed just been betrayed by a close friend.

No, but you have lost yourself in your anger, the old man said, harshly this time.

Grandmother, you need to stop, Liuxiang said, her voice a lot closer than Id anticipated.

I finally raised my head to see Liuxiang standing against her grandmother alongside the old man, her hair pins out and ready to fight the woman.

You you would betray us too? The woman asked, as if her heart was breaking.

No one is betraying you. But you need to give the boy a chance to explain himself, the old man said, fire dancing at the edge of his fingers. This was the first time Id felt the old mans aura with this intensity, as it matched the Matriarch, keeping me safe.

I raised myself, looking up at the woman. I still felt incredibly weak, and more than a little annoyed, but I knew that I needed to explain quickly before the woman decided I was not worth keeping around.

I was chosen as a vessel by the spirit you sensed, I replied, looking at the woman. The last time he came around, I lost all sense and control. It was your granddaughter who brought me back, I said, looking at Liuxiang who still looked nervous at her grandmothers sudden reaction.

Do you do you know what it means to carry a Divine Beast? The woman asked me, her eyes still glowing with power, and I could see the old man straining now.

I do. But I have no intention to surrender to it. We are allies, working towards a shared goal, I said.

What do you intend to do with it? The matriarch asked.

I plan to stop the demons. To stop Yang Shen and to reunite Heaven and Earth, I said.

The world shook around me for a moment, but the matriarch did not seem to care. She continued to look at me, as if trying to peer into my very soul, and I kept my expression straight.

A moment later, the glow from her eyes faded, as she clutched her head. We will not apologize for our behavior, the woman said, looking at the old man. We would say we are happy to see you, and we are, but you bring far too many bad omens with you, Shen Ming.

The old man looked sad at her words, but did not deny it.

Your control needs work, boy, if you truly are to be a vessel. Youre barely able to hold the divine beasts power and that too, not for long. If your path and ambitions are as grand as you proclaim, then you will need to master this ability, the matriarch said, glancing sideways. But as you are now, you will be able to break through any domain.

The old man nodded, bowing his head lightly. This old man appreciates your help, Zhuihu.

Right. Were done for now, leave us alone for some time, the matriarch said, dismissing us.

I bowed my head as well, looking towards the old man, before we left the chamber. As I did, I let out a giant sigh of relief.

Guess that went about as well as it couldve gone.

***

Zhuihu sat on her throne, feeling unsettled by what she had seen. A vessel to a divine beast after all this time, and this alongside the return of Yang Shen and the disappearance of demons. It gave her a bad feeling.

But while one part of her thought of that, another was making different calculations. The boy had certainly measured up to his name, and a vessel was the equivalent to the emperor himself, if cultivated properly. Most of all, the girl had raised a weapon against her. She had only mentioned him as a friend, but Zhuihu knew how these things went with children.

It would certainly not be the worst option, though she herself would not care to become an Empress, she wouldnt mind having a son-in-law as one.

The matriarch smiled, taking a sip from her cup as she sat on her chair. Perhaps she could nudge things along a little sometime.