Ryu seriously gazed at the pond for a long while. He hadn't known this innate feeling had such a name until Ailsa told him. He always found his actions in his last life to border on ridiculous. He could barely understand why it was that he was so certain that death was the only path… until now.
In truth, Ryu didn't spend much effort understanding his Heavenly Pupils in his last life. Other than [Focus] and [Third Perspective], he didn't attempt to awaken any other abilities. In fact, he only awakened those two during his days of training before he turned seven years old.
To Ryu, his eyes were more of a bane than anything else. Who knew that it was actually because of them that he could stand here today…?
Slowly, he gathered his emotions. Ailsa didn't speak as she patiently waited, understanding how he must feel.
The moment Ryu felt his heart steady, he leapt forward. If others saw his ridiculous actions, they'd believe he had lost his mind, hoping into a pool that would lead up to his waist. The fact he still had his clothes on made it all the more ridiculous.
However, they would be shocked to find that when Ryu entered the pool, there wasn't so much as a splash. In fact, not only did Ryu not cause a commotion, but he didn't get wet either. He completely disappeared into the seemingly inconspicuous pool at some unknown corner of the Mortal Qi Small Realm.
Left behind, there were only Nemesis and Little Rock who looked toward each other in confusion. After a few moments, they trotted and flew away, knowing that Ryu needed them to keep increasing his point total.
**
Ryu felt as though he had been thrown into the depths of space. It was difficult to tell which way was up and which way was down, but the skies all around were filled with motes of lights that resembled small stars.
'It seems like your [Intuition] really led you correctly.' Ailsa said with a faint excitement in her voice. 'Now I understand. This Mortal Qi Small Realm wasn't devoid of all energies besides Mortal Qi because something was brewing with its higher-grade qi, its structure is like this because it's undergoing the birth of a True Realm!
'You are incredibly lucky, Little Ryu. There are very few people, likely less than the number of fingers on a single hand, who can predict the birth of a True Realm. And of them, even if they can, they won't necessarily be in any sort of position to take advantage because such a Realm can only be sensed when it's on the verge of becoming a Protector Spirit!'
Ryu frowned. 'Should I be worried?'
He tried to speak, but nothing came out.
'There's nothing to worry about. In fact, this may be the easiest benefits you gain in your entire lifetime. A Realm Heart at this stage is no different than an embryo in a mother's womb. Though it's not anywhere near as fragile, it has no ability to defend itself.'
'Then what do I do?'
'This space is known as the Void. Some also call it the Abyss. It's actually an incredibly dangerous place even Sky Gods won't travel around casually in.'
Ryu's frown deepened. 'Didn't you just say there was nothing to worry about?'
Ailsa giggled. 'Trust me, be a little more patient.? The Abyss exists between Order and Chaos. Whenever a Cosmos or True Realm or even a Small Realm is born, it will begin here. But, the special property of Realm Hearts is that there birth lead to pockets of safety even within this incomparably dangerous place. Nothing can do harm here, even if you tried to attack, it would be akin to punching a pillow.'
Ryu suddenly had many questioned. How could he leave this place? How could he find the Realm Heart? What would he do once he did find it? He wasn't even entirely certain what benefits it would bring, he only vaguely understood that it would be a great boon.
'For others, even if they ran across the opportunity, they wouldn't be able to take advantage. But, you are different. The only shame is that even after so many years, this Realm Heart is still in its lowest state. The fact it can only produce Mortal Qi is proof of this. The next stage would obviously be Immortal Qi, and the next Cosmic Qi.
'But there's no need to lament this too much. Of the endless records my Cultus Clan has, it only has one instance of an individual absorbing an Immortal Qi Realm Heart throughout all of existence, and only two other cases of the absorption of a Mortal Qi Realm Heart. You'll only be the fourth to gain this opportunity.'
Ryu smiled bitterly. This Ailsa was teasing him again. If she wasn't, she would have gotten to the point long ago.
'Okay, okay. Big Sis will stop pulling your leg. Finding the Realm Heart is impossible. The only option you have is to make it find you.'
'How do I do that?'
'Your [Focus] ability. Remember, the Realm Heart has no intelligence, it acts purely on instinct. You must make yourself feel familiar to it, to make it approach you and willingly fuse with you. The names of the States of Meditation aren't just for show. Each step brings you closer to fusing with the Heavens themselves.
'If this was a Cosmic Realm Heart, you would need to enter One with World. But, since it's only a Mortal Realm Heart, you just need to enter a state you've entered twice before – Breath of World.'
Ryu's eyes lit with understanding.
He immediately crossed his legs and entered the first State of Meditation. A moment later, within the Incubator, the petals of the Silver Vein Spirit Seeking Lilies began to disappear one after another. To maximize the effect, Ryu not only took consumed this petals directly after entering the lowest State of Meditation, but he also directly absorbed used the Incubator to absorb it, making their effects as potent as possible.
Ryu's figure seemed to meld into the Abyss. Deep within, an enigmatic existence had already begun to stir.