PtM 18 - Chapter 22: Territory Battle

3/3 from last week. Another chapter coming right up!

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Beneath the fiftieth floor of the Santana Dungeon lay a large cavern measuring a thousand kilometers across and half as deep. It was a dark place, only dimly lit by crystals that hung down from the ceiling like dim stars in the night sky.

“The stories passed down by my ancestors fail to do the ancient city justice,” said Solana as she led them down a towering spiral staircase. “Few cities on the Inkwell Plane could match Santana’s radiance in its prime, and it would have continued till this day if not for the Paper Tiger’s treacherous curse.”

“It’s just a ruined city,” Huxian grumbled. “What’s so special about that?”

“A ruined city that produced a total of three third level saints and had the power to conquer the Inkwell Plane if it so desired,” said Solana. “Yigdrizil!”

“Yes, Grand Priestess?” asked Yigdrizil.

“We’re progressing too slowly,” said Solana. “Can you accelerate our descent?”

“Not a problem,” said Yigdrizil. “Everyone, be careful. There is a dark and corrosive energy in this place, and I can’t fully protect everyone against it.” A sphere of holy energy swept their group off the staircase and floated them down towards the sacrificial altar at the base of the spiral staircase.

On this altar sat a gold and white sphere that generated a protective golden boundary. They slipped through this boundary without a problem – by defeating the guardian of the fifth floor, they had proven their worth.

The gold and white sphere was none other than Santana Dungeon’s core. It was divided up into sections according to fusion with the sacred desert. Solana occupied a full twenty-five percent of the sacred desert, and Five Seals controlled fifteen percent. Yigdrizil controlled thirteen percent, followed by Wu and the leaders of the Holy Storm Alliance at 10% and the Holy Salamander Clan at 7%. All said, their party controlled 80% of the sacred desert.

“Unfortunately, there’s a big difference between ownership and actual control over the dungeon core,” said Solana. “There are five blood clones in total, and each owns four percent of the core. What we must do now is use our own control of the sacred desert to purge their influences. Only then will we be able to gain control of the desert.”

“And how exactly are we going to split it up”” Huxian asked. “Don’t look at me like that – I get that you’re in control. But you need us, and we refuse to help for free.”

Solana glared at him. “You’ll get two percent of the remaining portion. Five Seals and Yigdrizil will take three percent each, and I will take eight, leaving the others with two percent each.” The others didn’t oppose her words; they had clearly discussed the matter before arriving.

“And this is non-negotiable?” Huxian asked.

“You’re only getting this much because your abilities are useful,” said Solana. “Otherwise, I’d skin you alive and toss you out on the roadside.”

“Well I think we’re worth more than two percent,” said Huxian. “How about four percent? You still get the lion’s share, and we’ll be more enthusiastic about cooperating.”

Solana’s eye twitched. “Three percent. The additional percentage will come out of my own share.”

“Fine,” Huxian said. “You’re better not go back on your word.”

Solana grunted and turned her attention to back to the dungeon core. She took out a formation plate form her storage ring. It was old, blood stained, and extremely powerful.

“This is a saint-grade purification formation,” Solana explained. “It was created by my ancestors just before their demise. They knew that even after splitting up into eight pieces, the Paper Tiger’s blood would be impossible to seal up in the long term.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Huxian said. “Your people are the only reason we’re still alive. Can we just get on with it?”

“Since it’s brother Eight Directions who requested it, I won’t hesitate any longer.” Solana sent a droplet of soul blood into the center of the plate. Golden formation lines and runic characters spread out from the disc and onto the altar.

Next, the temple itself began to glow. The buildings nearest the temple lit up, followed closely by scattered buildings in the ruined city. The entire city was a formation, and the dungeon core was its focus.

“By grace of my ancestors and the blessing in my blood, I invoke the great divine,” chanted Solana. “Descend upon us, heavenly light of purification. Destroy this abominable curse and restore your people’s sacred city.”

A rift tore open in space, and from that rift trickled a stream of liquified light. It poured onto the dungeon core, causing the white portion on it to hiss and smoke.

That’s Evil Banishing Divine Light, Huxian thought. In terms of power, it’s a step below Purelight, but given its quantity…

“Everyone, it’s time to remove the Paper Tiger’s taint from this sacred city and claim the inheritance that is rightfully ours,” said Solana. “Begin the purification!”

The six factions began to mobilizer their respective authority and push into the territory occupied by the paper tiger’s blood clones. Normally, it would be very difficult to do so, but thanks to the evil banishing divine light, it took very little effort to do so.

As the paper tiger’s influence receded, each side began to gain territory. In only thirty short minutes, Wu and Solana gained two percent apiece while Lord Five Seals and Yigdrizil gained one percent each. This left the blood clones with only fourteen percent control over the sacred desert.

There was a rule that Huxian lived by, and it was that if things were going too smoothly, they would soon start going wrong. He was therefore unsurprised when the city began to shake, and cracks began appearing on the dome protecting what was left of the ancient city.

Pieces of rubble as large as buildings fell from the ceiling. They struck the city with devastating force, disrupting the formation and interrupting the purification process.

The disturbance was caused by none other than the blood clones as they passed through the barrier and enter the Santana Dungeon’s core sanctum. “All who dare contest the dungeon core will die a painful and miserable death,” said the five voices as one. “Those who retreat now shall be spared.”

“If any of you even think about stopping, I’ll lop your heads off,” said Solana. “Continue the purification. Ignore those wretches.”

The six factions redoubled their efforts, but this time, they encountered intense resistance. The arrival of the blood clones reinforced the curse’s control over the dungeon core. Not only did the allies not gain ground, they even began losing territory to the blood clones!

“Be careful everyone!” said Solana. “These clones might only possess fourteen percent authority, but their authority is rooted in the corruption of the dungeon core. This makes them equivalent to true owners instead of contenders.”

Huxian and the others had no choice but to pull out their trump cards. “Seven Directions, suppress the eighth!”

“Runebound Sacred Scripture, Purify!”

“Five Element Pagoda, Suppress!”

“Lightweave Brush, Obliterate!”

Their quick reactions temporarily prevent the blood clones from advancing into territories. Unfortunately, this protection did not extend to those lacking extraordinary means.

“I can’t hold on!” yelled the three leaders of the Holy Storm Alliance.

“I’m losing ground!” exclaimed the twin leaders of the Holy Salamander Clan.

“Surrender your portions to me,” Solana commanded. “You can’t hold onto them with your meager strength.”

“This isn’t what we discussed,” said one of the leaders of the Holy Salamander Clan.

“Well, the situation has changed,” said Solana. “Surrender to me or surrender to the curse. It’s your choice.”

The two parties found their authorities rapidly diminishing. And while the blood clones gained ground, Solana, Five Seals, and Yigdrizil mounted an offensive on their territory. Huxian directed Wu to join their efforts.

“You traitors!” exclaimed the five leaders as they lost their influence. It was as revolving door, where they lost territory to the blood clones, and the blood clones lost territory to the other four. How was this any different than directly attacking them?

It wasn’t long before they lost their last shred of authority. The dungeon core ejected them from the altar, exposing them to the city’s corruption. Their flesh melted away like acid, and their bones were reduced to dust.

“I’d be lying if I said I was surprised by this development,” said Huxian to Solana and the other two. Out of all of them, his faction had gained the least, and they were back to being the weakest party. Yigdrizil slightly exceeded them in this regard. “You guys know that she won’t spare you, don’t you?”

“We have an agreement,” said Yigdrizil. “We know Solana’s character. She won’t renege.”

“Just like she wouldn’t renege on her agreement with the Holy Storm Alliance and the Holy Salamander Clan,” Huxian said. “I’m not sure whether to admire your courage or pity your naivety.”

“Am I the naïve one or are you?” asked Yigdrizil. “You and I both know who the paper tiger’s next target is.”

Yigdrizil smug expression vanished when Huxian pulled something out of his tail space. It was a small blue crystal, barely bigger than his thumb.

“Is that…”

“It’s an immortal crystal!” Solana exclaimed. “Eight Directions, what are you doing? Immortal power isn’t something you can control.”

Huxian chomped down on the crystal like it was sweet, delicious candy. Immortal energy surged into his body and went on a rampage. He used this energy to channel Spacetime Devouring through Wu’s body. They rapidly gained control of a huge portion of the paper tiger’s territory.

The immortal crystal’s influence didn’t last long, but by the time it was completely used up, Wu had twenty percent control over the sacred desert, Five Seals had seventeen, and Yigdrizil had ten. Solana still controlled thirty three percent, while the paper tiger was only left with twenty. “Sorry, Grand Priestess, this is all I can do,” Huxian said, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

“Take a rest,” Solana said. “We’ll take it from here.”

The Grand Priestess pulled out her demon weapon, a compass, and used it to summon forth a complex diagram that enveloped the dungeon core and reinforced its link with the corrupted city. She then used this extra energy to rapidly devour blood clone territory.

The blood clones had no choice but to give up ground. They pushed into Yigdrizil’s territory, but Lord Five Seals quickly defended him. “You think you can fight our combined might?” said Five Seals. “Give it up!”

The blood clones paused for a moment. Conquering either of the three remaining territories would be difficult. But when it was about to turn its attention to Huxian’s territory, the white region on the core was suddenly reinvigorated. “Yigdrizil, watch out!” Huxian shouted, but too late. The blood clones were too powerful, and a few seconds for it to completely conquer Yigdrizil’s territory.”

“I… I lost…” said Yigdrizil. “Solana, could you?”

“Yigdrizil, cut your link!”  shouted Lord Five Seals. But it was too late. The elemental tried to sever its connection to the dungeon core, but discovered, to its horror, that the bond couldn’t be severed.

So it’s a death match, thought Huxian. The rules are enforced by the dungeon core. The winner gets full control, and the losers perish.

Solana didn’t seem surprised by this development. In fact, it was she who’d caused the death of Yigdrizil, albeit indirectly. But five seals did not notice what Huxian and Yigdrizil did. He chose to take out his anger on the blood clones.

He therefore became their next target, and Huxian and Solana, as though by prior agreement, pushed out blood clone territory to indirectly retrieve what was lost.

“Bastards, all of you!” shouted Five Seals when he realized what was happening.

Twenty five percent… twenty eight percent… thirty-two! By the time five seals fell, Wu controlled thirty two percent of the Santana Sacred Desert, while the blood clones still controlled twenty percent, leaving Solana with forty eight percent.

“I never knew you were so heartless, Eight Directions,” said Solana.

“That’s funny, because I knew exactly how heartless you were before we even met,” said Huxian. “I take it you have a few more tricks up your sleeve?”

“Don’t you have some as well?” said Solana. “Those blood clones… you were controlling them, weren’t you? Ands to my knowledge, there’s only one thing that con control these things – the Myriad Beast Banner in the Pale King’s possession.”

“This old thing?” Huxian said, taking out a large piece of paper-white cloth. “I got it in exchange for a few favors. For some reason, the Paper Tiger Clan was having a fire sale.”

“Your faction is now qualified to negotiate with me,” said Solana. “Make your demands, and I will do my best to fulfill them.”

“You think the dungeon core will let us negotiate?” asked Huxian. “Wu, do the thing!” He poured demonic energy into the banner and used it to exert control over the blood clones. The five entities that had been an obstacle the entire time obediently cooperated with their group to attack Solana, who’d yet to claim a commanding portion of the sacred desert.

Solana’s expression turned grim. “I never expected to have to rely on this, but you leave me no choice.” She took out a clear blue vial from her storage ring. Inside it lay a single drop of black liquid.

“Inkwell Soul Blood!” Huxian exclaimed. “How unfair.”

“Don’t be a hypocrite,” said Solana. “You think I don’t know that you used a similar droplet of blood to clear the fiftieth floor?”

She flicked the blood onto one of the blood clones, and black stripes appeared on its white fur. “You idiot!” Huxian said. “You can corrupt them, but can you control them?”

The abyssal portion of the dungeon core turned pitch black and severed Huxian’s control over the blood clones. Only inky black territory remained where paper white had once existed. It set its sights on Wu’s territory, and under the dual assault of Melody and Solana, Wu’s territory quickly shrank.

“Oh, how the tables have turned,” said Solana.

“Have they?” asked Huxian. “I think we’re both losers in this situation. And why have you stopped pushing into our territory? Aren’t you afraid your share will get gobbled up by that mutated blood clone?”

“I just wanted to offer you an out,” said Solana. “Cutting off your connection is impossible, but swearing fealty to another is. Do so, and I will grant you fifteen percent of the remainder of the Santana Sacred Desert.”

“We refuse,” said Huxian.

“You don’t know what’s good for you,” said Solana. “You mistake my caution for weakness.”

“And you mistake my perceived weakness for actual weakness,” said Huxian. He pulled out a crystal-gold sacrificial dagger and threw it at the dungeon core. The golden light instantly converted a large portion of blackened dungeon core into Wu’s territory. At its root, the corrupted Paper Tiger blood was still paper tiger blood.

“Do it now!” yelled Huxian. His friends immediately activated their final contingency. They directly summoned their territories into the Santana Dungeon’s core area and used their influence to suppress it. Unfortunately, it was far from enough. The Santana Sacred Desert was the most powerful of the dungeon cores and had long since been upgraded to the saint level.

But Huxian had plans for this as well. “Activate contingency number two!” he commanded.

“Water Territory, upgrade!” said Miyue.

“Fire Territory, upgrade!” said Bifang.

Wind, lighting, swamp, and mountain followed. Earth, the only unpaired territory, came last.

“What’s going on?” Solana exclaimed. “What’s happening?!” The aura of the seven other sacred deserts began increasing at a rapid pace. The Santana Desert’s influence was powerful, but against these seven growing territories, it began quickly losing ground.

A faint inky projection appeared next to the Solana. She had black hair, black eyes, and tattoos covering one side of her body. “A lot of immortal energy is required to upgrade a dungeon core to saint grade,” she said in a deadpan voice. “How did you do it, Eight Directions?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Huxian said to Melody. “Crush her!”

All seven dungeon cores broke through to saint grade in quick succession. Their functionality and energy density improved, as did each of the territories under their jurisdiction. Huge amounts of primal chaos energy began pouring into them from the void as result of their breakthrough. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that until their breakthrough was over, the dungeon cores would possess infinite energy.

The eight trigrams of the Bagua were independent but could also be used to reinforce each other if need be. Although Wu’s territory had shrunk down to fifteen percent of the Santana Sacred Desert, she was able to push back against Melody and Solana and reclaim territory by leveraging the power of her friends.

“Alas,” said Melody. “I have no desire to lose this strand of will. I admit defeat. For now.” She transformed into a drop of corrupted blood that shot through the city’s barrier and escaped the sacred city.

“This is impossible,” Solana whispered. “The will of the Inkwell Plane can’t be resisted. We only survived last time by sheer luck.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Huxian. “Tell it to someone who cares.”

With the will of the inkwell plane gone, Solana could do nothing to resist. It wasn’t long before their positions were reversed, and Wu controlled eighty five percent of the sacred desert, and Solana only fifteen percent. “I’m not resigned. I’m not resigned!” shouted the grand priestess.

“Fine, don’t be resigned,” Huxian said. “I’ll tell you what – surrender, and I’ll accept you as a handmaiden.”

Solana’s expression darkened. “You dare insult me?”

“It was more of an empty gesture,” Huxian said. “There’s no way I’d accept a scheming handmaiden like you. Wu, do it!” Fifteen percent. Ten percent. Five percent. It only took three seconds to completely force Solana out. And having lost her territory, Solana could no longer support her cultivation. The backlash destroyed her, body and soul.

“Waste not, want not,” Huxian said. He unceremoniously devoured Solana’s remnant energy and did the same to the other demons that had fallen.

“How did you get so many immortal crystals, anyway?” Gua asked. “I was talking to Jadefall, and she said there’s a limit to how many immortal crystals you can take with you. What is it, five hundred per person?”

Huxian rolled his eyes. “Haven’t you heard of using mules? I just paid people coming back to the Inkwell Plane and had them take them in for me. Who’s going to punish me for rule breaking? The heavens? They hate me already.”

Several minutes passed as Wu completed her integration of the core. Her presence rose as she joined the ranks of territory lord and harmonized her authority with that of her friends.

As Wu transformed, so too did the ancient city. The ruins took on a golden, holy hue as they regained their ability to regenerate. A hundred millennia of dust vanished in an instant.

The city was not the only thing to transform. Above Wu, Huxian and friends could see a projection of the Sacred Santana Desert. Except now, it wasn’t a desert. The sand was quickly disappearing to reveal a cultivation paradise filled to the brim with holy energy.

Once the territory finished its transformation, the heaven portion of the bagua joined the remaining seven. All eight directions were finally united. And because each territory was governed by a saint core, a true balance between the regions was achieved.

As a bonus, achieving balance in the eight directions was considered a great merit to their respective elements. They began breaking through in quick succession. Bifang broke through first, and she was quickly followed by Miyue. Then came Gua and Mr. Mountain, and Lei Jiang and Silverwing. Finally, Jadefall broke through, and lastly, Wu.

The eight directions of the Bagua were connected to Huxian as well. If his companions all broke through, how could he go unrewarded? He too broke through to the next cultivation level, and just like that, their entire party had reached the peak of the fusion and law stitching realms.

“Hm… this isn’t good,” Lei Jiang mumbled. “Huxian, I’m in trouble! I don’t think I can grow any stronger!”

“Really?” said Silverwing. “My cultivation is a bit unstable, but I can still push through again. I think.”

“It’s only natural that he can’t break through,” said Huxian. “His bloodline is the only one we haven’t upgraded.”

“Tell me you have a plan,” Lei Jiang said in a pleading voice.

“I do have a plan,” said Huxian. “There’s a place we need to go to, and it happens to have everything you need and more.” It was just a little dangerous. In his future memories, they’d gone there and nearly died.

“I’m more concerned about the will of the inkwell plane,” Jadefall said. “Storms have appeared all over my territory, and my demons are reporting issues with breaking through.”

“Ignore it,” said Huxian. “She’s punishing us indirectly because she can’t do anything else. And we can’t do anything to her either. For now.”

“The Collegium’s rearing its ugly head,” said Gua. He showed a mirror to them, reflecting events transpiring in a city at the outskirts of his territory. “The nerve of them! Let’s go punish them, Huxian.”

Huxian shook his head. “Every bit of time we have needs to be used to strengthen ourselves. We don’t have time to waste with the Collegium.”

“Then we’re just going to take it with a smile?” Miyue asked. “They’re bullies, and they need to be punished.”

“Just swallow the insult for now,” said Huxian. “It’ll be us who gets the last laugh.” He ordered a short break for them to get used to their strength. “You can vent, but not a lot. Our next opponent is going to be tricky.”

“Is it really a problem given how much money you have?” asked Miyue.

“About that,” said Huxian. “As of right now, I’m completely broke.”

The eight of them returned to their respective dungeons. Each of their territories had undergone huge changes and would need to be reorganized. And then there was Melody and the Collegium to deal with… well, those two mattered less. What lay at the heart of the eight sacred desert was far more important.