[Book II Chapter 19] DYLAN: Plotting within the Celestial Perl

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Dylan sped along the shaded creek, red and yellow flowers blooming among the roots on both banks. Each was treasure worth five times its weight in gold, yet he ignored them. Eventually, he spotted another violet flame and carefully recovered its priceless pedals, adding them to the others in the ouroboros ring.

The Godly Herb Garden was overflowing with more riches than could ever be gathered. After the first day, he’d given up on lesser ingredients, as the time spent collecting them was too costly.

Dylan noticed another two purple blossoms and skipped over to harvest them. Dowart Fain watched him with a grin, >

“Has it changed since your time?” Dylan asked.

> Dowart floated around taking in the surroundings. >

“You adamantly insistent I visit this hidden realm. Now I understand why.” Dylan said. “Was your trip as successful?”

> Doward stared distantly, as if peering into the past. > The smile faded somewhat as sadness shone in his eyes. <>

Dylan struggled to understand, “Was your trip really that meaningful?”

Dowart glanced back towards him, >

I must press him for the details one day. For Dylan, the Godly Herb Garden was simply a wealth gathering exercise and a chance at revenge. Which reminds me…

He leapt above the canopy and surveyed the sky, quickly finding the golden form of the Nemean Griffon soaring far off. That was the demonic beast which ruled this land, and so far they had avoided a confrontation. Its intimidating presence explained the relative lack predators. However, it wasn’t what he was searching for. He continued scanning the horizon until his heart skipped a beat. There! Dylan immediately raced to the nearest hilltop, positioning himself atop the tallest tree, and watched the phoenix approach. Come have a good look.

The Godly Herb Garden was half the size of Sanwue. The chances of stumbling upon others was tiny. To reliably locate a specific group, the only way was long range aerial scouts. No ordinary phoenix would be invading the Griffon’s territory so brazenly.

While waiting, Dylan observed the silver veil covering much of the landscape. Fluttering like a gigantic sheet of cloth stretching into the heavens, the barrier formed an enormous dome centered on the legendary colorless flower. Any who trespassed within its border were robbed of their consciousness, falling into an endless sleep. The silver veil was retreating at a snails pace.

Panacea’s restorative aura was what caused rare herbs to bloom endlessly and drew all manner of demonic beasts to realm. It went without saying the risks and rewards increased the closer one approached, with monsters which could threaten immortals slumbering in the final valley. We’ll be retreating well before they wake.

As the phoenix circled overhead, Dowart spoke up. >

Dylan grimaced as he saw the toothy head bobbing above the forest. How did a mutated terror make its way here? Hailing from the Corrupted Swamps, this variant resembled a giant canine prowling on over-sized hind legs. Judging from its slobbering jaws, it had picked up his scent.

<> Chuckled Dowart.

Dylan turned and fled. While not particularly deadly, the mutated terror offered little of value for the effort of dispatching it. The beast pursued mindlessly, knocking down trees in its eagerness to catch up. This continued for a while until Dylan reached a hill. After climbing halfway, he turned back towards the beast. It was walking in circle appearing confused, its loud whining echoing up the slope. Your prey just vanished. Frustrating isn’t it?

This hill was Gen’s Sanctum. The Fate Pavilion saint had plastered the area with talismans to form an array which repelled hostile entities. He boasted absolute confidence in his work and Dylan believed him. As he entered the grove on top, his surrounding grew quiet. Even the wildlife is driven away. He walked up to the white orb floating between the trees and placed his hand on it.

Reality shifted. Dylan stood under a pergola in the middle of a pond. From the banks around him rose porous limestone, their twisting forms natural works arts. He took the wooden path across the water, the pink of blooming plum trees stretching out on either side, and approached a magnificent mansion, its multi-layered curved roofs towering over a thick bamboo forest.

The Celestial Perl contained a miniature hidden realm which those with permission could visit. The peerless treasure had been fashioned over hundreds of years by the Fate Pavilion's matriarch. That she gifted it to Gen shows she considers him a potential successor.

Before entering, Dylan made a quick detour. Gen had converted a stone garden into a group of warehouses, and one was allocated to him. He stepped in and emptied his latest bounty. While his most precious finds remained within the ouroboros ring, this extensive storage space was too attractive to pass up.

They’d been here for three months already, and Dylan truly felt grateful. The celestial pearl made this expedition far more productive, and the comfort of a private room was unexpected luxury. While he still didn’t understand why such a prominent individual had teamed up with them, he’d come to trust and respected Gen Jiang as a friend. This may be what Dowart meant by forming deep bonds.

The others were gathered in the palatial living room, and Soul was questioning Gen about Sanwue’s hidden realms. Dylan slipped in and listened to the discussion.

“Powers of Fate have always excelled at reading and shaping the Ether. It was our matriarch who first discovered the method to weave together a reality concrete enough to visit. To craft a hidden realm, you need an ideal, the more strongly held the better. For Celestial Pearls, it’s an ‘idyllic retreat’. Everyone has a vision of their perfect home, a place of wonder and safety. This place was constructed from those collective visions.”

“What about the Godly Herb Garden?” Soul asked.

“While the scale is greater, the process was mostly the same. This time, it was the ‘desire for salvation’. You see, those suffering terminal ailments commonly cling to the belief that somewhere out there is a cure so potent it could save them. We tapped into that passion.”

“So the Fate Pavelion created Panacea?” Soul exclaimed.

“No, it was already there. Born of the desperate longing of millions, panacea definitely existed. We merely constructed the means to reach it. The proof is the size of the realm created.”

“What about the silver veil? Where does that fit it in?” Dylan asked. While never deeply pondering the topic, this was something he’d wondered.

Gen chuckled, “While the Fate Pavillion would love to fashion hidden realms with easily obtainable bounties, it’s not possible. We must adhere to the basic principles guiding the Ether. When designing around a treasure, appropriate challenges must be incorporated otherwise it won’t form. To retrieve Panacea, you must remain the full nine months, surviving as progressively stronger beasts wake, and exit through the final gate.”

Having had enough, Dylan discretely signaled to Yingtai. They both excused themselves and met outside under falling petals.

“I noticed a phoenix.” Dylan reported.

Yingtai grimaced, “I did too… I don’t think they’ll discover the Sanctum though.”

Dylan shook his head, “Once they arrive, they’ll blanket the area with summons. The Santum’s location will be obvious from our coming and goings. Unless you plan on hiding out here and forgoing the garden’s bounty.” They both knew this option wasn’t worth consideration.

“What do you suggest?” Yingtai asked.

“Not conceding the initiative. We chose a favorable location and devise a means to split them up.” Dylan let the words sink in. “Also, it’s about time we broached the subject with the others. They will need time to prepare. Soul is the bait which will draw them into our ambush.”