Raphael had finally reached a moment of peace.
He stood within a lavish chamber situated at the very peak of his new palace. Such luxury was his now, he thought as his hooves tapped softly against the plush rugs beneath and golden light glinted off the polished jade furniture.
He'd never imagined he'd own such a space, not as a bull, and surely not as that pathetic human he'd been back in the Bloodthorne Empire, a space far, far, away now.
This made him blush!
Moving toward a balcony, his monstrous wings folded, and a sigh escaped him.
He gazed out at the breathtaking panorama of Qi Hawk's 'Marble World' – Nestoria, with its floating islands, and those majestic trees that felt soothing and peaceful. This was truly a world of wonder.
"I made it out of Hebikuni alive!"
After sitting down comfortably, he unfurled the Sagewood Script once more.
The bamboo strip extended around him, emanating a gentle emerald glow that settled into his hide. It was a comforting warmth, and within that glow, he saw words of wisdom he was so desperately seeking.
This journey, his path, it was no longer a foolish dreams of servitude. He was meant for something greater now.
…
Lecture 1: The Essence of Solar Energy
The script began with a fundamental truth about the universe: "Solar Energy is the lifeblood of all things. It is the essence of creation, the driving force behind evolution. To cultivate, is to understand its flow, its rhythm."
...
Lecture 2: Meridians: Pathways of Power
He was then shown images of countless rivers, canals, and streams. "Within every living being, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest Calamity, there are 'Meridians'— invisible pathways that carry Solar Energy throughout the body, connecting the physical and the spiritual."
...
Lecture 3: Cultivating the Core
"At the core of every being lies a reservoir of essence—their Solar Consciousness. To cultivate, is to refine this essence. Amplify it! And then, unleash those hidden power within."
...
Lecture 4: Techniques: External Manifestations
Within this section, a spectacle of ancient battles unfolded as the words danced and glowed brightly to illuminate these profound truths.
"Techniques are external expressions of internal power. From the simplest strike to the most complex spell, they are all conduits for unleashing Solar Consciousness."
...
Lecture 5: Dangers: Internal and External
The mood shifted from those vibrant colors into somber tones as words echoed dangers that could decimate even the strongest warriors, those most powerful entities if one is not careful.
"The path of cultivation is fraught with perils. Internal imbalances. External threats. Greed! Arrogance! All can lead to ruin. One must be ever vigilant and humble."
The last words were repeated several times as if the very bamboo script wanted him to be very mindful of such things.
...
Lecture 6: The Dao: The Path
Within these pronouncements a grand truth that had shaped his very existence was explained.
"The Dao is the path, the way! Each species, each lineage, each individual walks their own path. There is no right or wrong. Only choices."
…
Lecture 7: Transcendence: Breaking Through
As these words faded from existence, an immense power resonated deep within him. His golden flames that now felt strangely different pulsed.
"To transcend, to evolve. It's to surpass one's current limitations and reach a higher state of being, a truly liberating and arduous feat. But such is the path for those who desire change. Such is the way."
As those lectures ended, a new section had Raphael squinting in interest because now, a truly mind shattering question that he'd always wonder about but couldn't even grasp was being explained with diagrams, figures, and historical tales.
How come beast were considered stronger when they took longer to cultivate, and humans weaker because they didn't?
Beast Cultivation Dao Versus Human Cultivation Dao
…
The script explained with chilling clarity: "Beasts and Humans, though both born from the heart of creation itself, are fundamentally different."
Raphael understood this. His hooves that trembled with golden flames, they were his now, and he'd never encounter a creature more resilient and powerful. The human bodies he'd been forced to gaze upon, touch, and serve for years. Those fragile things were like eggshells compare to what he now was.
'Humans… we were indeed weaker, weren't we? Those assholes… always claiming superiority, but when faced with real power, they cower.'
The memory of those knights he'd slain back in the Bloodthorne Empire came to mind. They had tried to subdue him with pathetic blood spikes, not realizing that true strength, that ancient, burning might of a Calamity was on another level. He shook his head in disgust at those fools.
"Well, not anymore…"
"A beast's anatomy, its instincts, the very essence of their soul. It's intrinsically intertwined with the natural order. They instinctively absorb external souls and their potent Solar Consciousness."
The Sagewood Script showed images that mirrored what he'd witness with Balphazar, Lu Ignis, and even his friend Lu Jade. They painted a gruesome and vivid picture of how beasts used powers they acquired from consuming others.
"Even among beasts themselves, there exists a vast spectrum of differences."
Raphael nodded in agreement because he'd seen, felt and even tasted those varying powers from snakes to hounds, and those pathetic little vampire slugs in that cave. Each species was unique.
He continued reading,
"This means that a beast's Solar Consciousness, their Solar Essences, at any stage is inherently more mature, more potent. It would appear that Beast Cultivation Dao is superior, but..."
The script then presented a truth he'd never considered, "A Beast's path is long! Arduous! Unpredictable!"
The text displayed images of ancient beasts - Dragons, Phoenixes, Unicorns, and others he hadn't even seen in stories. They'd lived for millions upon millions of years, their strength unmatched, but those years of arduous, disciplined meditation also had unforeseen consequences.
"There's a saying amongst those that reached the pinnacle. For them time itself is a curse and a blessing. This is why their forms are so massive. That energy requires space to occupy. They don't simply fight, those moves shatter landscapes and rewrites stars."
"Hmmm, truly enlightening, these words."
The Beast Cultivation Dao was presented to him in detail. From lowest to highest, each stage had 9 layers of ascendency:
…
Early Nightmare Stage
Buddhist Pill Stage
Great Ordeal Stage
Saint Ruler Stage
Calamity Stage
Nightmare Calamity
Emperor Calamity Stage
Void Emperor Calamity Stage
Nova Calamity Stage
Void Nova Calamity Stage
…
"Hmm?" His mind went back to the moment he'd taken control of Shao Jin.
"He was… a 7th Layer Nightmare Calamity… but now…"
After consuming the Devil Star Fruit and enduring the backlash, his current cultivation level had dropped to 9th Layer of the Calamity Stage. He was now at the very beginning of the long arduous journey of reaching that realm again.
It was humbling and humiliating.
He now understood why that Bronze Serpent Emperor who ruled Hebikuni had not bothered to consume the 'Devil Star Fruit' at all.
The script clarified, "It is said that for a Nightmare Calamity, every layer of transcendence, can take up to a hundred thousand years, depending on their lineage and the opportunities they grasp, however, to a Golden Bull Thork, It would be…" The text flickered as the estimate was adjusted.
"Hmm? This long?!"
"At least 700 thousand years."
And upon that bamboo strip came moving scenes again, but this time the words were darker, 'The 'Devil Star Fruit' for those of our ilk… it's a gamble of fate, a blessing, but it demands an exorbitant price. Time. And Time doesn't care for promises, pride or desires. Its pace is that of a tyrant!'
Raphael gulped!
This was his reality now. Even if he were to claim Void Emperor Sindoll's blessing and be granted 500,000 years, it wouldn't be enough to get him back to that terrifying level. He'd still have to meditate for 200 thousand more years! Such a ludicrous proposition, for any creature, but for one who used to think a year was long?
No, no, no, this didn't fit his needs!
'Perhaps there's another way.' he thought with a tinge of desperation.
Then his gaze landed on the next segment.
It spoke of his people, their methods and how they survived those ancient times before Gaia was shrouded in ice and darkness. Those were indeed ancient, lost arts.
Human Cultivation Dao…
It explained that "Human and semi-human beings, though fragile, are capable of channeling energy in a way unique to their form, their biology, and their spirits."
"In ancient times, Humans once reigned supreme, ruling vast territories that stretched beyond those realms we occupy now. Some even became Emperors despite those Calamities who ruled the skies!"
Raphael was stunned. How?
How had humans, beings far weaker, far less potent than beasts in raw essence and lifespans, ruled over this world? It was inconceivable!
"Those ancient rulers. We call them 'Solar Blood Masters'. They defied their limitations! And through their cultivation method…" The scroll unfurled once more, "They harnessed a power capable of rivaling the mightiest beasts."
Raphael then began learning about how humans, unlike beasts who only possessed a single, massive sun at their core, created Soul Orbitals.
Soul Orbitals are rings around their Solar Consciousness, and these rings can be stacked with compressed and refined source of Solar Essence known as Soul Planets. These Soul Planets orbit the massive sun center both giving and receiving interconnecting energies which strengthen the whole. By amassing more Soul Planets, the individual cultivator can rapidly progress on the rung of evolution.
"These 'Soul Orbitals' are energy rings that circle a practitioner's Solar Consciousness? And they act like vessels?" He hissed with confusion. But as the images unfolded before him, showcasing a small blue sun, surrounded by rings of varying density and color, a realization struck!
"So human Cultivators don't consume souls entirely. Instead… They refine potent beast Solar Consciousnesses into tiny 'Soul Planets' to place into those empty rings!?"
Those words echoed a realization far more profound.
"But why?"
The answer was given a heartbeat later: "Soul Planets provide not only concentrated energy, but also unlock unique abilities, depending on the beasts who once inhabited those souls. Clever."
As the text illuminated varying grades of 'Human Cultivation Dao' and how much Solar Energy one had to amass and refine to ascend those ranks. He finally grasped the magnitude of his predicament.
This Dao was far shorter! Much faster to ascend!
These are the human tiers of evolution from lowest to highest, each orbital has varying limits of Soul Planets:
…
Astro Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 3 Soul Planets
Star Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 8 Soul Planets
Stellar Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Soul Planets
Celestial Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 16 Soul Planets
Void Soul Layer - Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 18 Soul Planets
Nebula Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 8 Super Soul Planets
Cosmic Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Super Soul Planets
Galaxy Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 16 Super Soul Planets
Universe Soul Layer – Its Soul Orbital can hold up to 12 Neutron Star Planets
…
"Wow… truly remarkable…"
He saw a visual of a human with nine Soul Orbitals pulsing before it vanished. Such potent energy. Such chaotic beauty, and with the correct number of Soul Planets…
"Those that reach the 'Universe Soul Layer', are they truly that… powerful? Capable of becoming Gods?"
The script didn't give him an answer.
He then continued scrolling. It was then he noticed a particular inscription that was darker and bolder in the bamboo etchings, which caught his gaze.
"Soul Moon."
It explained that a Soul Moon is a very powerful entity, only available to those whose Solar Essence exceeds Celestial Soul Stage. It was created by refining Solar Consciousnesses and placing them into orbit of a Soul Planet. This would boost a practitioner's ability drastically.
But the true meaning behind this new knowledge, it hit him hard.
For he'd awaken something when he was facing off against those Golden Blood Knights back in the Blood Forest.
Raphael remembered:
That potent black and red orb of Solar Essences, so violent, so untamed. It blazed inside his Cosmic Mind Sea, and it felt so real.
"Back then I… I've awakened a Astro Soul Orbital!?" He was stunned! "This is… How is it even possible? A bull, no, A bull with human essence, and a soul orb, but it doesn't belong to the Golden Bull Thork. This is… surely this is impossible?"
Or was it?
There was no mention within the Sagewood Script of a beast awakening a Soul Orbital, not one, however. What was possible was this: When an entity reaches a certain level of cultivation, their bloodlines can begin changing and adapting based on circumstances.
"Could this be… Shao Jin… did he subconsciously acquire this ability? But why? Or…"
His mind went back to the first time he encountered a Blood Knight with Soul Orbitals.
It was back in the Bloodthorne Empire. They'd been travelling on their way to the Blood Forest. Those silver-armored guards were strong, imposing, yet when he compared those auras to Shao Jin…
'The knights… they were pathetic! This doesn't make sense."
But something he'd never truly grasped was becoming evident, now, before this grand scroll that promised freedom and power.
He was both beast and human!
"Perhaps because I absorbed their essence back then, when I… when Shao Jin devoured my dual Solar Consciousness and my body. Could that be it? And perhaps even earlier, when I consumed a few potions, did my body… acquire something… unique?"
He then concluded.
"Human Cultivation Dao… It's… better? It suits my current state better." He let out a laugh that was part human, part beast.
"But this means…" he muttered softly. He realized a dreadful, yet freeing truth,
"I must become… human… AGAIN!"