At this height of several kilometers, even if I fell into the sea and not solid land, I would still die instantly. There was a popular myth that people could survive falls from great heights if they landed in water, but that was completely untrue. If they had watched the news, they would have heard of airplanes disintegrating instantly the moment they hit the water during a crash.
Normally, what killed people was tension present in the water. Even though water was liquid, water molecules still attracted each other, forming molecular bonds and creating what scientists termed surface tension. This molecular force caused molecules on the surface to contract and resist being broken, so if you were to drop an object onto water from a very tall height, it would still be the equivalent of dropping something onto concrete.
In other words, I would still die if I hit the sea below.
Not wanting to die, I desperately sought for a way to break my fall when I went over the edge and tumbled off the cliff. Realizing that I was still gripping my dragon sword, I swung it and stabbed the rocky wall that made up the slope of the cliff that I just fell over. My arms jerked from the impact, almost as if they were being yanked out of their sockets, but I was able to somehow arrest my fall by driving the blade deeper into the rock, pulling my feet up and skidding across the rough surface, and anchoring myself to the side of the island.
"Huff."
Breathing heavily, I hung onto my sword and crunched the soles of my shoes against the rocky surface of the edge of the cliff, relieved that I wasn't going to fall. Unfortunately, it seemed that I was stuck here. I had no idea how I was going to climb up. Of all the techniques I learned in cultivation academy, rock-climbing wasn't among them. Neither was suction techniques that allowed me to stick to walls. Damn, I couldn't believe I was wishing to be Peter Parker right now.
Squinting through my blurry, myopic vision, I tried my best to scan my surroundings without the aid of my glasses. I didn't dare to let go of even one hand to retrieve my glasses and put them on. A single weakness and I might fall to my death below.
Fortunately, despite my myopia, I could still see an outcrop of rock jutting out from the surface of the cliff, resembling a landing pad. Vines grew over its surface, indicating that there was some sort of biological life present.
Well, given that the alternative was to hang here indefinitely, I figured it would be a better idea for me to jump onto the rock and rest my arms, which were gradually growing sore from having to bear the brunt of my full body weight.
Planting my foot against the surface of the cliff, I then kicked off the rocky wall and propelled myself toward the outcrop while simultaneously yanking my sword out. Executing a footwork technique, I used Jin to advance toward the outcrop, hoping that my speed and footwork would bring me across before I fell to my death below.
Flipping my body in the air, I landed on the outcrop. I paused to catch my breath for a few moments before I glanced up. The winged demonic tiger had not popped its head out to look down on me. Despite its wounds, I had no doubt that it retained the ability to fly. If it decided to swoop down to check if I had really fallen to my death, only to find me hanging around here, it wouldn't hesitate to finish the job.
Not to mention I was severely injured. That last exchange, when I attempted to cut through its existence with my Mystical Eyes of Qi Perception…ahem, I mean enhanced sixth sense…was admittedly ill-advised. Instead of cutting its paw off like I did with the shadow leopard, I ended up suffering worse wounds than before.
At least I survived. Though I couldn't say I would remain alive for long if I continued to linger here. I needed a safe place where I could recuperate and heal my wounds.
Leaning on my sword, I forced myself to my feet and staggered toward the wall. Reaching into my pocket, I retrieved my glasses and put them on. My blurry vision sharpened and I could see clearly again.
With clarity of vision returning to my eyes, I caught sight of an opening in the cliff wall where the outcrop of rock emerged.
"A…cave?"
I studied the entrance, but was unable to see anything because of how dark the interior was. That by itself wasn't a problem, but to my anxious surprise, I realized that I couldn't sense anything inside the cave with my Heavenly Flow and Earthly Paths.
"How is this possible?"
It was almost as if there was a thick fog of qi shrouding the entire area, a dense cloud of demonic yin qi that obscured my sixth sense. I shuddered, wondering what manner of existence could produce such massive quantities of malevolent qi. In a way, it was even more terrifying than the commander-ranked winged demonic tiger above.
Fortunately, there was no hostility, no aggression. Just…amusement? I didn't know how to explain it, but I had the feeling that whoever was responsible for this qi had noticed my presence and was amused by my fear and trepidation.
Above, a growl resounded. The winged demonic tiger. It was still searching for me, presumably. It hadn't popped up to look for me yet, but I couldn't count on it to stay idle for long. I could sense its aura, faintly, and it was drawing closer to the cliff. The swirl of qi around its wings told me that it was getting ready to fly if necessary.
Damn it. I was between a rock and a hard place.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to risk it. I swallowed and stepped into the entrance, finding myself navigating a narrow pathway just spacious enough for a single person to walk through. Cautiously making my way through the tunnel, I realized that it opened up to a huge cavern at the end. Exiting the narrow tunnel, I found myself staring at ominous-looking trees that grew in the absence of sunlight, filling the cavernous space before me.
Studying the trees for a moment, I then looked around warily. A deep chill scorched me to the bone, causing me to shiver. It wasn���t just the temperature, but the very atmosphere. It was saturated with demonic yin qi.
"What…is this place? What an overwhelming evil aura!"
Just as I stepped over a gnarled root, I heard laughter echoing throughout the cavern.
"Ha ha! Kid, it must be fate that has brought us together."
"Who?!" I whirled around, but saw nobody. My sight was one thing, but I couldn't believe I couldn't sense anybody here with me even with my Heavenly Flow and Earthly Paths. Qi perception wise, it was as if I had been plunged into a dense fog.
"There's nobody here…and there's no way I wouldn't be able to detect the presence of another human."
"Ha ha! Kid, you're right. I'm not a human."
"Huh? Then what are you? A spirit beast!?"
"No, I'm not a spirit beast either. Okay…admittedly, I used to be human…but I haven't been human for very long now."
"Right." I rolled my eyes. "So you mutated into something?"
"You could say that." There was a pause, and the chilling voice continued. "Heh, kid, despite your youth, I can sense how skillful you are. For you to be at the Heaven realm at your age, that's no small feat! Not bad!"
"Thanks?" I was still wondering who the speaker was. Not wanting to be distracted from the main topic at hand just because of some flattery, I pressed on. "So who…or what are you?"
"Hmm…have you heard of Tian Mo of Heaven and Earth Sect?"
"Tian Mo of Heaven and Earth Sect?" I repeated incredulously. "You mean the strongest demonic cultivator who reigned over the Celestial Realm millennia ago?"
"Ha ha! So you know about me? You've not disappointed me at all! Ha ha!"
"Tian…Mo? How did you end up here?"
On one hand, I couldn't help but be thrilled that I finally found clues to the Heaven and Earth Sect at last – and with this, I should theoretically be able to complete the Heaven and Earth Formula that I only partially learned from Kai Li Si.
However, now that I had actually met the person who called himself Tian Mo, I was no longer certain. Firstly, I didn't know if he was telling the truth. Secondly, the air of malevolence that permeated the surroundings was just too horrifying, too chilling. I felt as if he could devour me anytime. My intuition told me that I couldn't trust him, that I was speaking to a monster of unimaginable proportions. A literal devil, one who would tempt me with sweet words, only to plunder my soul afterward.
My soul was my own. I wasn't giving it up to anyone. Not even Tian Mo.
"Ha ha…my physical body has been destroyed. All that is left of me is my primordial spirit."
"Primordial spirit?" I asked uncertainly. There was a heavy sigh in the air as the self-proclaimed Tian Mo affirmed.
"That's right. I, who used to be the strongest in the Celestial Realm, have ended up in this sorry state. Me…the one who was known as the Absolute One! The Heavenly Demon, Tian Mo! All because I was betrayed by my disciples!"
"Okay?" I was starting to get a sense of déjà vu. Why did I feel as if I had heard this story before?
"My disciples, Li Ru Yue and Yang Lie Shao. Li Ru Yue was an exceptionally intelligent and beautiful girl, while Yang Lie Shao was talented and sharp. I imparted my Heaven and Earth Formula to the both of them."
"Heaven and Earth Formula?" I swallowed, almost unable to conceal my excitement. This was what I was looking for. The ultimate cultivation technique, and the one I was supposed to have mastered in future. According to Kai Li Si, anyway. If I could find out more about it, I might be able to complete this lost art.
"That's right. Hmm, you seem very interested in my Heaven and Earth Formula, kid." The voice paused and I could feel the disembodied spirit scrutinizing me. Once again, I felt a chill run down my spine. "Do you want to learn it?"
"If possible, yeah. I'm hoping for more details."
"That's fine. Basically, my Heaven and Earth Formula consists of two elements. Yin and yang. Li Ru Yue learned the yin element and made rapid progress, while Yang Lie Shao learned the yang element first. Together, the both of them would become invincible."
"Was there dual cultivation involved?" I asked somewhat sarcastically. Like I said, I seemed to have heard all this somewhere before.
"Uh…maybe?" The voice didn't seem eager to reply. "The private affairs of my disciples are none of my business. But yes…perhaps you require dual cultivation for faster progress. And it certainly is more effective if a male masters the yang portion and the female masters the yin portion, and then they both share their energies with each other. Not necessary, of course – I didn't bother with it – but it can be done."
"Okay."
"With my disciples making swift progress, and me becoming invincible after entering the highest level of Two as One, we were able to conquer much of the Celestial Realm. Leading our followers, we slaughtered countless orthodox sects and demonic sects both, and for a brief period of time, we reigned supreme. As the Absolute One, I was ruler of the Celestial Realm in all but name."
I nodded, listening to his story even though I already had the gist of it from reading historical records in the library of Seven Stars Academy. It fitted with what I already knew.
"However…at the point of my greatest triumph, I committed the gravest error that a ruler can ever make."
"…what is it?" I asked, swallowing.
"I let my guard down."
"…huh?"
I tried not to sound too skeptical. The voice continued, and I detected a note of bitterness in his tone.
"Just when I thought I was at the pinnacle of cultivation and unchallenged authority over the whole of the Celestial Realm, my two disciples plotted against and betrayed me. Using poison to cause a clash between the yin and yang elements within my body, they seriously injured me. Then they joined hands to attack me and succeeded in killing me."
His tone rose in anger.
"I gave them everything. I taught them my skills, made them my right hand and second-in-command. I granted them vast territories and entire armies. Yet, they were so ambitious and greedy that they weren't satisfied with the precious treasures and immense wealth I bestowed upon them. They betrayed and killed me!"
Yup, I definitely heard this story before. There was just one thing I was confused about, but I decided to wait until Tian Mo finished ranting before asking him about it.