Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1251 - 1250 - The Trouble with Tribulations

Lind thought he had grasped his problem with making a new body but he had severely underestimated the path he was walking on. He had decided to see if he could trigger tribulations easily enough.

It was too damned easy in fact!

He was able to construct a single cell organism easily enough but they were forced to advance by him and died at each Gold Tier tribulation.

It told him nothing.

It only told him that he was not approaching the path to making a body the right way.

He would have to face at least 7 tribulations but if he could not get past the World Realm, there was no point at all.

The main issue was obvious even to a child.

Tribulations were not meant to be faced consecutively like they were so many cabbages! Further, the quality of tribulation would matter a great deal as well. His flesh would be forged by it the same as before.

His soul could easily endure up to the Heaven Realm without concern but after that, things became tricky. The 6 elemental skip of the Star Tier was something he would have to address as well.

Then came the true wall. Immortal tribulations. There was zero chance his soul could even withstand the Sliver Tier tribulation for even a single bolt!

The lowest quality lightning bolt would damage him severely.

Theoretically, his body could recover quickly if he was still able to access the high quality of the Qi in the spirit world. The issue was he had seen the aether beasts and children sent out before they achieved full physicality.

He was unsure if it was a rule of Heaven and Earth but he had to be able to hold his body between worlds. It, again, came back to the tribulations.

If he could tie his exit to completing his cycle of tribulations, then he would not be allowed to go until his body was ready for the final step just as the aether beasts and children did not leave until they were ready to actually manifest.

First, however, was surviving to that point! He also did not want to endanger the spirits or their world. It was not like in a sect or power with sufficient resources to make a tribulation platform or arena.

The world was ever shifting and he had to devote considerable resources to weaving to maintain a physical stability of anything.

He was floating among the silver clouds as he began to have an idea but wanted to ask before he tried it.

"Um, Senior Old Woman, may I have a moment of your time?" It was only when he went to ask that he realized he only knew a single name! Maybe there was a reason for that? Did the spirits even really have names?

His thoughts were interrupted as the old woman with her fine white hair and robes appeared. She looked apprehensive for some reason but he smiled warmly as he bowed to her.

"I know I have been disruptive and have not asked for permission or forgiveness. My deepest apologies. Is there anything I can do to make up for my impertinence?" Lind had realized he had been doing things without consideration some time ago but until he went to ask a favor, he realized how rude he had been.

What was wrong with him? Why was he so carefree and irresponsible? It concerned him he had only noticed at this late stage.

A giggle suddenly made both heads turn as the little girl came flying up with the other kids in tow.

"Mister Dragon is too polite! You have done no harm. You do interesting things!" He smiled but turned back to the old woman and cupped his hands respectfully.

"Still, it is inexcusable I treated your world like one of my laboratories. I should have asked long before now." Her wrinkled visage actually broke into a small smile before shaking her head.

"We are not like your worlds. We own nothing and all is as it will be even under your control. Do not worry on that front, but why have you called for me?" Lind began to sweat metaphorically as he realized he was about to push the limits of their good will.

He suddenly backed off.

"Never mind, it is beyond the limits. I am unsure why you are nervous but I will not push it. I will find another way. Maybe make a more complex life on my own if that is allowed?" He asked as single cell organisms were just a test of concept and useless beyond that.

She frowned before he felt pressure lock him in place. The little girl pouted as the kids gathered around him.

"You are not supposed to interfere. Let him go." The old woman actually seemed to back off to the shock of Lind. The children were in charge?!

It made a bit of sense considering the rest of the world. He was not seeing their real bodies. In a true sense, such a thing did not exist. They appeared as they wished.

Time did not pass in the spirit world either as he understood it either.

"He wants to interfere with our world just like–" The old woman was about to say something when Lind felt a massive spike of pressure from the world below. Black and white beams emerged and he was pulled down towards it!

None of the spirits could stop it nor did they seem surprised.

Lind was about to hit the surface when it parted like water. He fell down until he reached the solid core at the center.

[Speak.] A chorus of voices echoed in his mind. He felt like less than an ant. The Divine Realm spirits and cultivators never felt like the power he felt now. Yet, it was familiar. It was as if he felt something similar yet not quite.

He had the thought pushed aside as he focused on his request. They seemed to know but wanted him to ask for it.

"Ahem, I beg pardon. I simply have hit the end of what I can do with concept testing and wanted to try something more direct if possible but it seems I have trespassed. I will not do it. I apologize." He knelt down and waited in silence.

The pressure did not shift but something changed. It was like a grim feeling vanished that had been just barely present before.

[He is different. Allow him to continue.] The world shifted instantly as he found himself back where he started! It was not teleportation! It was like he was simply willed to the spot! What kind of power was that?!

The kids and old woman looked at him strangely.

"You were really going to give up?" The little girl asked but unlike any other time she was dead serious. Lind was confused.

"You are all alive and I think this world is a part of you. People are not things to be used and I came too close to doing that. It is my bottom-line." He spoke simply but was stunned when tears began to fall from all the children's eyes.

What had he said?!

He was suddenly dogpiled by all the kids as the old woman looked stunned. Would someone please explain already?!

"You want to try and improve the cultivation foundation of the aether beasts and then the aether children. Yet, you give up the best chance to regain your body if you do not understand the danger you will face. All because you refuse to treat people like tools? You see all life as people?" Lind felt that was an exaggeration a bit but was essentially correct.

"You have seen my past, right? Surely you understand where it comes from?" He did not want to speak that particular piece of history aloud but the old woman blanched before nodding.

She suddenly bowed low to him!

"I apologize for judging you harshly! You may proceed and I will help you understand." Shock filled him. Not only was he allowed, but they would actually help him? His eyes narrowed but then understanding filled him.

"You want to ensure I succeed without harming them, right?" She nodded and he smiled. He found that more than acceptable!

"Before I get to it, I want to ask questions if that is allowed." She nodded but smiled wider while pointing behind him. He turned back and saw a vortex form instantly! He whipped his head back and felt nothing connecting them but knew she instigated it!

"The first thing to understand is you have misunderstood the premise. It is not that aether children and beasts cannot appear stronger, they simply choose not to." He was confused at first but shocked as he saw elements coalesce with Laws fusing into a pseudo body.

He then saw a change! His Eyes and Touch told him nothing, but it was like he was allowed to see something new. A spark at the center of the body. It was life! A soul!

He saw a soul being born and felt frustrated with himself that he overlooked something so basic. Both manifested aether beasts and children had souls but they were never reborn. They were always new!

He never thought to check on the souls. The spark grew until a tiny wail came from it. Fear, worries, and other basic thoughts all in line with an infant. The soul grew until awareness came.

It coincided with the Soul Realm! He then watched as the soul seemed to make a decision before a crack of thunder sent it down into the vortex.

It was so quick but felt like an eternity to Lind at that moment. He understood! They grew aware then chose to be born or to get the most power they could understand. Annabelle had been totally unaware of how to advance to the World Realm until he taught her!

Communication was key!