Eternal Cultivation Of Alchemy

Anything was better than being forced to show what he had in his storage bags, so Alex willingly led them all to the mountains. He landed a short distance away and walked toward it.

He had planned on letting them get lost in the mist, but it seemed they were prepared for that. One of the Divinities used their Creation to form a long vine that wrapped around them all, ensuring they wouldn’t get separated.

Alex realized he couldn’t walk away from them. He continued, guiding the group through the mist. He didn’t want to arrive at Rosemist’s place with five Divinities in tow, so once they were inside the mist, he asked, “What do you seniors want me to do? Just wander around? There really is nothing in here.”

“Take us to the summit. We’ll handle the rest ourselves,” the eldest among them said.

Alex nodded, hoping that Rosemist had already noticed their arrival because they were within the mists.

As they progressed, the older men and women began to notice the truth in Alex’s words. There really was nothing in the area. They were all alchemists and could easily identify the trees and plants, so they could tell there were no valuable ingredients here either.

“What is this? This is the holy site?” one of them said. “There’s nothing here.”

“Let’s wait and see. We need to reach the summit before drawing conclusions,” another said.

“My Divine Sense detects nothing but a few beasts. This place truly is empty.”

They continued, making their way to the top. Disappointment was clear on their faces, though they still held onto the hope that something there would explain the mysterious nature of the mist.

Alex led them out of the mist without encountering anyone else. Outside, there was nothing for them to find; everything was barren and deserted.

Alex continued climbing as they wished, finally reaching the top, where he stopped. “Is this what you wanted to see, Senior?” he asked, turning to face them.

The five were not enjoying themselves. Not only had they not found what they came for, but the constant misguidance from the mists had given them headaches, as their senses fought against each other.

They felt the need to sit down for a while and cultivate.

“The other side,” one of them said. “There must be something on the other—”

All five turned at once as attacks flew toward them. Sword slashes cut through the vines binding them together, and each one moved to defend themselves.

Alex fell to the ground, rolling aside to avoid the strikes.

“Who’s there?” one of the men demanded.

A woman floated toward them, her eyes blazing with fury. She wore simple white robes and held a sword. “You five dare to enter my territory and make demands of me?” she said. “You must have a death wish.”

They all looked at her, their eyes widening with fear. “D-Divine Manifestation Realm!” one of them stammered.

“Senior, forgive us!” another quickly pleaded.

“We didn’t mean any disrespect!” said another.

The woman pointed her sword at them, her slit-like eyes gleaming with intensity. “Leave this place immediately, or I’ll carve you to pieces,” she said.

“Yes! Yes, right away,” the men stammered, quickly flying away from the mountain without a second glance. They didn’t seem to care that they had left Alex behind, concerned only for themselves.

The woman watched them leave, her anger dissipating. She let go of her sword, which vanished, as though it had never been real at all. It certainly hadn’t disappeared into her Soul Space.

She took a deep breath and offered a small smile. “Are you alright, young one?” she asked.

“Thank you for saving me, Senior,” Alex said.

The woman who had intervened was the Six-Tailed Sword Snake who guarded the cave containing the Voidgate. Whenever Alex visited the Voidgate, he would meet her outside, usually in her beast form. This was his first time seeing her human form, but her identity was unmistakable.

“Did Rosemist send you?”

The woman smiled. “Yes. She was concerned for you and asked me to intervene. Did they do anything to you? Should I go teach them a lesson?”

“No, it’s fine,” Alex said. “They would have if not for my master’s reputation. That saved me.”

“I see. If you’re alright, then you can head down on your own. She’ll meet you below,” the snake said.

“Thank you again, Senior.”

The woman left, and Alex descended as well. Thoughts of the day’s events ran through his mind, but what stood out most was what they had shouted earlier.

“Divine Manifestation Realm,” he thought. “I never realized the snake was that powerful.”

The Divine Manifestation Realm was the step after the Divine Creation Realm. Given the vast difference in strength between realms, it was no wonder the Divinities had fled.

“And that sword,” he thought. “It must be her Creation. She is a sword snake.”

Creations followed laws he didn’t fully understand, and he wondered if he should have asked her about it. But before he could dwell on that, he saw Rosemist waiting for him.

“Hey,” he said simply. “Sorry for bringing people to your place unannounced. I hope you noticed in time and hid.”

“I don’t have to hide,” Rosemist said with a slight smile. “But yes, I sensed it early. I could tell they were forcing you to come here.”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “Hopefully, they won’t try that again.”

“I don’t think they will,” Rosemist said. “But if they do, just bring them here. I will teach them a lesson myself next time around.”

Alex could tell Rosemist was joking, but a part of him believed she wasn’t either. It was hard to tell based on just her words. She was a woman of mystery and he couldn’t peel back the layers on her so easily.

“I have a question, if you don’t mind me asking,” he said. “Go on. I just won’t answer if its something I don’t want to answer,” she said simply.

“Are you stronger than a Divinity?”