Chapter 801: Incarnation Spellcraft (3)
A pale, eerie, pure white halo. The shape of a pristine white gauntlet, slammed down as if exploding.
What appeared, pressing down on Yao Xun’s mighty Incarnation, was a figure entirely enveloped in light.
CRACKLEEE!!
As it trampled the formless, vanished Incarnation and rose, a strange, piercing resonance echoed, making ears throb.
A pale, subtly distorted form, as if its very existence was shrouded in intangible light.
Beyond its human-like shape, its physique or appearance could not be properly discerned.
The only thing that formed a clear outline was the pure white gauntlet that replaced its right arm.
“……”
Amidst the violently churning mist, Lennok silently faced the Incarnation that had appeared before his eyes.
His own Incarnation—one he had diligently researched to obtain, yet had never once imagined.
Because he seemed to understand the source of the power behind this pale figure before him.
‘Forcibly repelling the body and mind to construct a new self, huh….’
Yao Xun had explained Incarnation Spellcraft this way, as he forcibly made Lennok’s Incarnation manifest.
Yet, Lennok had, conversely, considered the possibility that he might not have an Incarnation at all.
Ever since he acquired the Kaleidoscope Mindscape, all possibilities that could exist for Lennok belonged solely to Lennok himself.
Even if a new self were forcibly constructed by repelling his mind and body, it would still be nothing more than a part of the Kaleidoscope.
No possibility of Lennok existing in this world could escape his control and be born as an Incarnation.
So, who could this gauntlet-clad Incarnation be, standing brazenly before Lennok’s eyes now?
The moment he encountered this pale white light, Lennok had already instinctively known.
“From the Old World…”
Even as he murmured this beyond the dispersing mist, Lennok couldn’t suppress a wry smile inwardly.
The power of the Fist Master that Lennok had first begun cultivating in WORLD 1.0.
He didn’t know how to react to the fact that a part of it had now appeared as an Incarnation.
Was it because no other self of Lennok existed in this world that this connection to the Old World, which shouldn’t exist, had appeared?
Or was this very moment still the preparation and arrangement that the Pontiff had spoken of?
Even as he maintained his identity as Victor, his mind felt filled with fragments of memories that the Pontiff had left behind.
(…….)
The Incarnation silently observed Lennok, then slowly took a step towards him.
THUD!!
And began to crumble powerlessly on the spot.
“……!!”
At this unexpected self-destruction, Lennok swiftly pulled out mana threads and forcibly held the Incarnation’s form in place.
SWISH!!
He split off mana threads that manipulated his own body, connecting a portion of them to the Incarnation’s form.
He forcibly held the body, glowing with a pale, pure white light, from collapsing, making it persist on the spot.
(…….)
The Incarnation, unconcerned with its own body crumbling, gazed intently at Lennok’s face.
Its reaction was strangely slow yet distant, as if it was only now truly perceiving Lennok’s existence.
Is this how a self-constructed Incarnation usually feels?
The moment Lennok thought this and casually raised his hand towards his mask.
“The Incarnation could not be properly constructed, so it cannot fully maintain its existence.”
WHOOSH!!
Beyond the blurring curtain of mist, the Ghost Dragon’s telepathic transmission resonated.
Even though its spiritual body had vanished, crushed by Lennok’s Incarnation, its will still remained, watching Lennok.
“To exist despite failing to bring forth a possibility from the depths of unconsciousness, and thus being unable to persist…”
The flickering blue gaze spoke slowly from beyond the mist curtain.
“Indeed, its mere appearance here at this moment must be considered a miracle. Truly a wondrous thing.”
“……Are you saying it’s not in a normal Incarnation state?”
“Well. You, rather than I, would understand that better.”
At that moment, Yao Xun’s gaze shifted from the Incarnation to Lennok.
“Your mind and body did not successfully ‘repel’ each other. No new self was constructed either.”
“……”
“Yet, with that talent alone, are you not calling forth your Incarnation and holding it here?”
Yao Xun already knew that Lennok’s mind and body had not ‘repelled’ each other normally.
He knew that no new self existed within Lennok.
Yet, he inferred that Lennok’s Incarnation persisted solely due to his exceptional talent.
“Your body and mind are too perfectly harmonized, so the Incarnation couldn’t be properly constructed.”
Yao Xun’s gaze, fixed on Lennok’s obsidian mask, shone sharply.
“Unbelievable. To wield a specialized system spellcraft and yet possess such a stable mind, it shouldn’t be possible…”
The method of constructing an Incarnation involves forcibly repelling the body and mind to manifest another self beneath the unconscious.
But because Lennok’s spirit and body did not respond during that process, the Incarnation couldn’t be fully constructed.
This must be because Lennok’s mind is perfectly ordered, unswayed by external interference or intervention.
An absolute wizard’s rationality, where no one can fully touch or interfere with his mind, regardless of his own will.
But even without the repulsion of mind and body, and without the construction of a new self, Lennok has summoned his Incarnation and is forcibly maintaining its existence.
‘It’s certainly a peculiar spellcraft, given its emphasis on repulsion.’
Most martial arts or spellcraft Lennok knew centered on the unity or resonance of mind and body.
Even the Miniature Universe or Domain, though with different outcomes, aimed to materialize a mindscape elevated to its extreme.
In that regard, the power of an Incarnation, constructed by repelling body and mind, was clearly a somewhat unfamiliar method.
‘It might even be that Incarnation Spellcraft itself doesn’t belong to this world’s spellcraft system…’
If it’s detached from the laws of this world, and almost no one has learned it, what could its origin be?
Lennok had, therefore, thought the moment he inherited Incarnation Spellcraft that it might not originally be a spellcraft of this world.
And if Incarnation Spellcraft was transmitted from the Old World, then the person who brought this spellcraft to the Third World…
WHOOSH!!
Even amidst this, Lennok’s Incarnation continued to emit a pale glow and slowly twist its body.
A strange gesture, as if it was bothered by the mana threads holding its form together, even as its entire body crumbled.
Yao Xun observed this and spoke in a peculiar voice.
“Though lacking in Incarnation construction, you have already reached mastery in its manipulation. One talent is excessively profound, holding a balance that should inherently crumble.”
“Are you saying that Incarnation construction and manipulation require different talents?”
Instead of answering, the Ghost Dragon silently looked at Lennok, then replied.
“Answering that question will have to wait until you have passed the ritual.”
“……What?”
“Though you have not awakened Incarnation construction, you can summon and maintain your Incarnation because your manipulation talent has reached an otherworldly level.”
Yao Xun said this and slowly began to withdraw the curtain of mist.
“The Spirit Transformation Ritual is designed so that those who learn Incarnation Spellcraft can fully receive the transmission of the spellcraft by mastering both construction and manipulation… Once you pass all the trials and reach the sanctuary, you will understand its meaning.”
“……”
Was he saying that because Lennok’s Incarnation Spellcraft wasn’t complete, he could only answer after Lennok passed all the rituals?
But Lennok’s purpose in meeting the Ghost Dragon wasn’t solely to receive Incarnation Spellcraft.
The fundamental reason he had been constantly chased by the Court of Soul Pacification, wandering through Yorta.
If he accepted Yao Xun’s offer now, he would have to invest a considerable amount of time to find that out.
Lennok swiftly made his decision and immediately spoke.
“I heard the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void is hidden here.”
“……”
“They say it’s the only passage created for living beings to enter and exit the Infinite Void.”
Lennok spoke, looking beyond the mist curtain that had faded as if to disappear.
“I came to you to cross the Reverse Gate and reach the Infinite Void. Where do I need to go to pass through the gate?”
Yao Xun, knowing that Lennok had not yet properly mastered Incarnation Spellcraft, continued to offer him opportunities.
As he consistently highly valued Lennok’s talent and spellcraft, the question itself likely didn’t cross the line of his patience.
However, the Ghost Dragon looked at Lennok with a subtle gaze and slowly shook its head.
“The order of your questions is wrong.”
“……Wrong order?”
“What you ask is a secret told only to those who have inherited Incarnation Spellcraft. The very act of coming here knowing that is putting the cart before the horse.”
Was he saying that the truth about the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void could only be learned after inheriting Incarnation Spellcraft?
Before Lennok could fully process that fact, Yao Xun abruptly explained.
“To enter the Infinite Void through the Reverse Gate, you must have mastered Incarnation Spellcraft.”
“……”
“I am in charge of teaching Incarnation Spellcraft to select living beings who will enter and exit the Infinite Void.”
Yao Xun chuckled, looking at the silent Lennok.
“Do you understand now why the order of your questions was wrong?”
“So, this creepy lightbulb blob is Master’s Incarnation?”
“……Lightbulb blob, you say.”
Leaving the messily transformed training ground behind, Lennok walked down the corridor towards the inside of the fortress.
Yao Xun’s explanation: to enter the Infinite Void through the Reverse Gate, one must master Incarnation Spellcraft.
Unless he wanted to fight and kill the Ghost Dragon, he had to follow his words and take the trials.
He had said the trials would test whether he possessed sufficient capabilities in both Incarnation construction and manipulation, hadn’t he?
According to Yao Xun, he had sufficient manipulation talent, so the trials themselves should be quickly passed.
“Hmm…”
Davi, with a displeased expression, watched the pale Incarnation floating behind Lennok.
Now that the Priestess’s spiritual body had been recovered and there were no eyes watching, Davi had also come out to examine the Incarnation.
(…….)
The Incarnation, held together by Lennok’s mana threads, appeared somewhat blank.
Even perceiving the cybernetic spirit staring intently at it, it showed no interest.
Contrary to the intense presence it had at first, its reactions were slow, almost leisurely.
Davi, staring blankly at the Incarnation, tilted her head and murmured.
“It does look a bit like Master in how annoying it is…”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“I don’t even know what an Incarnation is to begin with!”
Davi rubbed Lennok’s robe with her tail and said.
“You should explain what this lightbulb blob can do.”
“……For one, it can definitely exert physical force in reality.”
Lennok said that and turned his gaze towards the pure white halo behind him.
No one else was visible in the fortress corridor besides Lennok.
After confirming no presence within tens of meters, Lennok had conducted various experiments with the Incarnation.
“It exists as an Incarnation, but it has substance, and faint as they are, it has a will and a personality.”
Lennok said, extending his hand towards the Incarnation.
“A peculiar point is that I can adjust the degree of its materialization against myself.”
(…….)
As Lennok placed his hand on the Incarnation’s shoulder, his hand passed right through it and vanished downward.
A strange reaction, as if the Incarnation and Lennok’s body were overlapping in existence.
“There’s no particular effect, but it seems it can exist superimposed in the same spatial coordinates. So, like this—”
SWISH!
Lennok, pulling the Incarnation into his shadow robe, said to Davi.
“With the robe, I should be able to somewhat conceal its presence while maintaining it.”
“Finding a way to hide it first, how Master-like.”
“……”
Lennok silently stretched Davi’s cheek and explained again.
“I haven’t confirmed its specific abilities yet. It definitely seems to be martial arts-oriented…”
If the Incarnation’s true nature was as Lennok expected, its abilities would certainly be focused on the vanguard.
If he could properly deploy the Incarnation in combat as a vanguard, it would be an immense help in battles.
Lennok also expected that and tried to move the Incarnation, but struggled because the Incarnation couldn’t maintain its own form.
“For now, I’m focusing on maintaining the Incarnation through mana threads. Once its state stabilizes, I’ll have to deploy it in combat.”
“Looks like a suitable opponent has appeared, Master?”
GROOOOAN!!
As Davi spoke, walking down the corridor, the surrounding temperature sharply dropped, and a damp chill permeated the air.
Figures of degenerate Military Spirits gathered in groups throughout the old fortress corridor.
Monsters that had lost their bodies and couldn’t even properly stand on their own, with not a shred of intelligence left.
Like ghouls lusting after living flesh, yet their mode of existence was almost the complete opposite, these ghosts rushed forward.
[HAAARRRGH!!]
The Military Spirits rushed towards Lennok with grotesque screams.
They were distorted black like storm clouds, with multiple screaming faces seemingly overlapping within them.
“What a nasty smell.”
As Davi grumbled from inside his robe, Lennok manipulated mana threads and put the Incarnation forward.
Lennok’s Incarnation, being made of the same spiritual essence, should be able to deal with the Military Spirits better.
Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to test the Incarnation’s abilities?
“Go.”
The moment Lennok thought this and gestured to the Incarnation.
The Incarnation, standing askew, crossed its arms and shook its head.
(…….)
“……What?”
“Heh.”
As Davi retorted, amused, the Military Spirits charged relentlessly towards Lennok.
CRASH!!
A powerful impact, enough to dent the stone wall of the corridor.
He managed to twist his body with mana threads to dodge, but the absurdity that followed was more immediate.
SWIIISH!!
[KYYAAAHH!!]
Lennok turned to look at the Incarnation while swatting away Military Spirits rushing from all directions.
The Incarnation was watching, gesturing, as Lennok twisted mana threads to trample the Military Spirits.
As Lennok fell into thought over this bizarre situation, where the hierarchy seemed reversed, Davi spoke.
“Master. That fluorescent light keeps pointing at something.”
“Pointing?”
“To take something out from inside your robe… Ah, I think this is it.”
Davi said that, rummaging inside Lennok’s robe, and pulled something out.
FLASHHH!!
The shape of a long staff glowed brightly from Lennok’s embrace.
An artifact-grade item with a beautiful winged appearance and a rainbow-colored gem embedded within.
Lennok, realizing its identity and cause, twisted his lips for a moment.
“……Kashuin.”
Kashuin, the Archangel of the Old World slumbering within the Compassion of the Archangel, was intensely emanating its will from within the artifact.
As if it sensed something, it wildly emitted its will, convulsing as if it would burst at any moment.
Such a violent convulsion from the Archangel, something he had never felt before.
But the Incarnation, unconcerned by Kashuin’s will-thought, placed its hand over the staff’s gem.
The moment it held its crumbling form with mana threads and painstakingly gripped the artifact on the spot.
WHOOSH!!
A wave of sacred will-thought exploded around Lennok, sweeping away all the Military Spirits rampaging nearby.
[AAAAARRRGH!!]
[UUUURRGH!!]
The Military Spirits, emitting strangely drawn-out monstrous screams, scattered like dust and vanished.
The Incarnation, as if completely uninterested in such Military Spirits, removed its hand from the Compassion of the Archangel and stepped back.
“……”
Did it recognize Kashuin’s reaction and, instead, use that power to eliminate the Military Spirits?
That must be because it already knew its presence affected Kashuin, and that it could help eliminate the Military Spirits.
Its intelligence seems very faint, but does it instinctively know what to do?
Lennok silently watched the Incarnation, then pushed it back into his robe and resumed walking.
Confirming the Incarnation’s abilities could certainly be done during the trials.
Upon reaching the end of the corridor, two gatekeepers stood guarding another door.
“Congratulations on passing the first trial.”
The first to greet him was a Military Spirit warrior in a grey martial arts uniform.
He courteously brought his hands together and bowed to Lennok, saying.
“The Spirit Transformation Ritual is a trial to master Incarnation Spellcraft, opening up new senses unconstrained by the physical body—”
“Keep it brief.”
FLASHHH!!
As Lennok flicked his finger, a pale white light flashed, and the Incarnation brazenly descended.
The two warriors opened their mouths wide, forgetting even to speak.
“An Incarnation, already?!”
“How is it already…!!”
Lennok spoke, facing the two astonished individuals.
“What do I need to do to pass the next trial?”
“That is…”
Was there any meaning in holding a trial against a successor who had already constructed an Incarnation?
The warriors murmured in embarrassment, but still, as if to do their duty, pulled out a vial from their robes.
“This is Hedora’s Stone Medicine, its efficacy doubled by being twice compressed.”
“……”
“Please consume this, defeat us, and then you may pass.”
Lennok took it and immediately consumed it on the spot.
CRACKLE…!!
A sensation as if his entire body was stiffening. He felt his tongue and hearing were not functioning properly.
Was this a paralyzing agent enhanced to completely numb all senses?
Considering the purpose of the paralyzing agent Kraya had explained, this was contrary to its original use, but it must have been modified and enhanced for the trial.
Perhaps starting with a paralyzing agent outside the fortress, and then taking stronger drugs that dull the senses further as one goes inside.
A trial that forcibly separates the participant’s mind from their body, making them move their body solely through pure will-thought and mana manipulation.
Having heard Yao Xun’s explanation of the Incarnation construction process, Lennok had no difficulty understanding the purpose of the trial.
“……”
Confirming that Lennok had consumed the paralyzing agent again, the two warriors immediately took their stances.
Lowering their center of gravity, their momentum surged as if they would rush at Lennok at any moment.
Lennok casually rubbed his neck and asked.
“Spar? Or a real fight?”
“……We too are cultivators who train here in this fortress for the balance of spirit and body.”
The warrior, smiling bitterly at Lennok who spoke so easily even after taking more paralyzing agent, replied.
“If the inheritor is willing to face death, how could we be any different?”
“Indeed.”
“It seems presumptuous to say anything to someone who has already constructed an Incarnation.”
Having said that, the two warriors extended their fists forward, looking at Lennok.
“We will begin the trial immediately.”
“……For some reason, that stance looks familiar.”
As Lennok mumbled, feeling a sense of déjà vu from the warrior’s momentum, the warrior instead asked, surprised.
“Do you know about Ninefold Dorye?”
“Ninefold Dorye……?”
“It is an ancient martial art that Lord Yao Xun taught us.”
The warrior collected his surprise and calmly explained.
“I believe it is now lost to the world, and only we here in Yorta still practice it…”
“……”
Was Yao Xun teaching the martial art of Ninefold Dorye to the Military Spirits of the fortress, transmitting it?
The moment Lennok fell silent at this unexpected revelation, a completely different reaction occurred behind him.
[Master?]
(…….)
The Incarnation, which had been lazily refusing to act despite Lennok’s words, began to move directly for the first time.
The Incarnation’s form creaked as it walked forward, its body still attached by mana threads.
As the three individuals turned their gaze at the pale Incarnation that walked out, blocking Lennok’s path.
THUD!!
The Incarnation took the same stance as the two warriors, the Ninefold Dorye stance.