PtM Book 16 - Chapter 7: A God Beast’s Shackles

2/4!

Time passed quickly in the land of the entrance trial, and before long, only three days remained. Huxian was happily cooking up a storm and feeding a small group of friends; since Cha Ming had not yet left his own trial, Huxian was in no hurry to do so either.

A total of 2718 demons had entered one path or another. One thousand four hundred and eighty-three of them had entered the Heartforge Realm, while the others had perished. Only 182 demons remained, and they were either the lowest of the low, or relatively strong demons with emperor or king level bloodlines. The kind that would have a pretty good chance of making it through the Path of Battle.

Huxian’s odds of passing the Path of Battle were still about fifty-fifty, which was better odds than most. He’d asked the Heartforge Spirit about potentially challenging the Path of Supremacy for superiority in cooking but had been given the elemental fisheye.

Things weren’t looking so well for his new companions. There was Jadefall and Wu, whom he’d met much earlier, and two other demons from other planes he felt had high potential despite their humble beginnings.

“So, what do you all figure?” Huxian said as he handed out plates of tenderloin, cooked to perfection, and covered in gravy. There were accompanied by side dishes like potatoes and steamed vegetables that looked extremely unappetizing. Normally, Huxian would never cook such unsavory things, but Huxian was a perfectionist. He’d dredged these dishes up from Cha Ming’s memory and was determined to do justice to this so-called ‘French Cuisine’.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Jadefall said, accepting her plate.

“I mean how many do you think will make an attempt today?” Huxian said. “I figure some people might get antsy and jump the shark.”

“Probably a third?” Jadefall said. “I don’t know. Why should I care. And why do you keep looking at me like that?” She eyed the meat on her plate then glared at Huxian. “I am not a cow!”

“This isn’t beef!” Huxian said. “It’s a really close approximation. Some kind of monstrous ox demon…”

“So?” Jadefall said, cutting off a bloody piece and sticking it in her mouth. A pleased expression appeared on her face. “Tastes good!”

“I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate,” Huxian said apologetically. “Wu, would you eat a turtle?”

“Maybe?” Wu said.

“Under what situation?” Huxian asked.

Wu frowned and thought long and hard before answering. “Served.” And that was as much as he could get out of her. Her method of speaking was built around laziness, and even her movements were efficient to the point that she smoothly stabbed the tenderloin and shoved the entire thing into her mouth before swallowing. “Tender. Juicy. Delicious. I approve.” That was a lot of words in a single sitting.

“Well I’d never eat a fox,” Huxian said. “It’s a matter of principle.”

“Well I’d never eat a fox either,” Jadefall said. “For similar reasons.”

“Hey!” Huxian said.

“Apologies chef. It was intended as a joke,” Jadefall said. She finished off the tenderloin and took a look at the mashed potatoes, stuck a finger inside them, then gingerly placed it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up. “These are actually good! As for the vegetables… not so much. Couldn’t you have stir-fried them or something?”

“I made the dish based on someone else’s memory,” Huxian said. “I’m assuming they’re strictly ornamental.”

“I’d say a third will probably try.” The speaker was a rare hound demon, the kind that typically served as a subordinate. His bloodline was king level, so he stood a chance at the Path of Battle, but his skillset didn’t quite match up. “Tomorrow, another third will go. Whoever is left will take the plunge around mid-day before their nerves get to them.”

“I’m of the same mind.” This time, it was a mantis demon who spoke. He looked mostly human and wore dark clothes, had black hair, and a pale complexion. He was also a king-level demon, and his bloodline was of the Nightstalker Mantis.

“Mantis, I have to ask,” Huxian said. “You’re not weak at all. Why haven’t you gone through the path of battle yet?”

Mantis’s hand froze halfway to his mouth. Then sighed. “It seems I have been caught. In truth, I was just sticking around for the excellent food and excellent company. It’s gotten quite pleasant now that most of the annoying demon have gone. Except those guys of course.”

Like clockwork, the demons he mentioned walked up to their team for their daily visit. They all wore the smug expressions fitting demons that had a 50-75% chance making it through the Path of Battle. Far better odds than Jadefall and Wu, who’d probably die nine times out of ten even if they teamed up.

“So. Have you ladies decided which of us handsome demons you’ll be picking?” their leader said. He had very large belly, dangly ears, and a snout Huxian assumed he couldn’t get rid of. He was a golden pig demon, a strong imperial bloodline.

“Drop dead, pervert,” Jadefall said.

“Still feisty as ever, I see,” another male in their group said. He we was of the dark moon crow imperial clan, and leering seemed to be his default facial expression.

“They’ll give in, don’t you worry,” said the third individual in their group. He was a particularly ugly tiger clansman that just didn’t seem quite right in the head.

“Are you gonna buzz off or do I have to call the Heartforge Spirit again?” Huxian asked. “He specifically said you weren’t allowed to harass anyone.”

“We’re just here for our daily visit,” the pig demon said, holding up his hands defensively. “We know the ladies are probably undecided, and while they could probably take their chances with the likes of you, their odds of survival would be much lower.”

“What do you figure their odds are, Gold Devourer?” the tiger asked the pig. “Ten percent? Twenty?”

“I’d peg the fox at about 35% since he’s a god beast, and the other two at around thirty percent,” the pig demon said.

“So high?” the dark moon crow said. “Then why haven’t they gone yet?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Mantis said. “We’re eating and socializing.”

The tiger was clearly not used to being taunted. He pulled back his fist and stepped forward –a burst of heat from the Heartforge Spirit made him rethink his next few actions.

“Coward,” Jadefall said. Then she sighed. “If I’d had known this would happen, I would’ve sold myself off earlier. I’d rather die than get stuck with this bunch.”

“Only perverts left,” Wu agreed. She reached for a slice of pie as Huxian handed them out on small plates. She then shoved the entire slice into her mouth along with the plate. Using a fork was way too troublesome.

“It’s too bad they closed up that loophole,” Jadefall said.

“What loophole?” Huxian said.

“You know, the one with a promise of release?” she said.

“I can’t believe it wasn’t close off in the first place,” Huxian said. “But I guess it was a reward for anyone who found it.” He looked to Mantis and Bloodhound. “I’m assuming both of you will be fighting?”

“Probably,” Bloodhound said. “I’d rather face the Path of Battle with my odds – thirty percent, he said? I think that’s about accurate.”

“Golden pigs sometimes have abilities related to money and odds,” Huxian agreed. “And he didn’t smell like he was lying.” He looked to Jadefall and Wu. “What about you two?”

“Undecided,” Jadefall said. “My heart wants to choose the Path of Battle, yet I fear for my clan. So I’ll probably subordinate myself to the strongest of them. See if I can win my freedom in the future, or at least win a favor to protect them.”

“But you can’t agree on that beforehand,” Huxian reminded her.

“I know,” Jadefall said. Many demons had learned the hard way that surrender had to be unconditional, and the one sacrificing their freedom had to be convinced that they wouldn’t be getting it back. They’d also discovered that demons who pledged their freedom to individuals walking the Path of Battle would perish alongside them if they failed, thus the demand for powerful individuals.

“Same,” Wu said. “So much regret. So troublesome.”

“What about you?” Jadefall asked Huxian. “I’ve heard about you, Lord Eight Directions. I know they say you’re not so powerful, but you have quite the reputation around the sacred deserts on the Inkwell Plane.”

Huxian chuckled. “Alone, I’m nothing. I rely a lot on my friends, and my abilities are pretty auxiliary.”

“Then are you considering subordinating yourself?” Jadefall asked, surprised.

“Naw,” Huxian said. “Just cooking. Talking. Thinking.” The others nodded, as this was why they were all waiting as well, despite having already made up their minds. The Heartforge Realm was more than just a test –  It forced people to think on who they really were.

Who are you? What defines you? What road to power will you take? These were the questions Huxian felt were the core of this entrance trial. The three paths represented the three main roads of power.

Some demons were naturally suited to the Path of Battle. They would wade in a sea of blood and use their spoils to advance. The incompetent ones would perish, and so would many of the competent ones to pave the way to the luck few.

The Path of Supremacy was an unforgiving one. Being supreme in any specific skill was a good way to find a place in this world. When one was the best, there would be no shortage of allies. That was true of speed, teleportation, defence, strength, or any other attribute. But when one got knocked down a peg and became only second best, things would become unbearably difficult for these individuals.

The last path, the Path of Sacrifice, was the path that most demons took. It was a bitter path because the price that was paid was far greater than any other. The game would be stacked against these demons, and they would need to start from rags and climb their way up to riches all over again.

Originally, Huxian could have chosen either of the first two paths. It was only that his life choices had made the Path of Battle difficult and the Path of Supremacy impossible. He had rejected his identity as an inheritor of Bagua Huxao, so eh no longer knew who he was.

What defined him then? Thus far, trickiness. Portals. Infrastructure. His friends. But all these things were useless in this place.

So what did that leave him with? What was his path to power? Right now, he didn’t know, and the answer to that question was just as valuable as entering the Heartforge Realm.

***

The final day arrived far too quickly for all that remained. It was midday, and the low-lives had come by one last time to make their case.

“Just give in already,” one said. “We won’t treat you badly.”

“You know what choice you should make in the end,” another taunted.

“Disgusting people,” Jadefall said after they were gone. “At this point, I might just choose the Path of Battle on the off-chance that I succeed.”

“If we weren’t for the rules of this demi-plane, I suspect that they would be dead and buried since long ago,” Mantis agreed.

“So you’ve both decided?” Huxian asked Mantis and Bloodhound. The two of them nodded. “That’s probably for the best. In that case, I have a gift for you both.”

He coughed up a mouthful of blood essence, and his demonic energy reserves fell. His strength diminished by twenty percent and would probably take a month to recover.

He formed hand seals according to his inherited memories and split the glob of blood in half before sending it towards the two demons and causing their auras to surge. “Go!” he shouted. The two realized their time was limited, so they shot off without any hesitation.

“What was that?” Jadefall asked. Wu also lifted her head. Mantis and Bloodhound were quick and entered the gates together so as to make the most of their boost.

“Just a little helping hand,” Huxian said.

The first wave of fiends arrived, and the two demons, faster than they normally were, charged in and eliminated them without any issues. And when the second wave came, they dispatched it just as easily. The third wave was a bit more challenging, and the two of them were forced to summon their manifestations to destroy half the wave before rushing into the thick of battle.

Bloodhound was a brawler and thrived in this sort of chaotic environment. Mantis was an assassin, and alone, he might manage as well, but with Bloodhound there to cover him, and the boost that Huxian had given them both, he was able to pick off his opponents with relative ease.

The fourth wave came then, and things got tough. They burnt their blood essence and gave it everything they had. Even with Huxian’s boost, their odds had only increased to 50% at best, and they had to give it their all to eke out a victory.

In the end, they succeeded, much to the surprise of the remaining demons. This prompted a flood of demons choosing to enter the Path of Battle in pairs.

The Heartforge Spirit did not take kindly to Huxian’s interference. He appeared beside them with a scowl. “What?” Huxian said. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Their bloodlines just got hyper charged after they ate something nice.”

The Heartforge Spirit snorted. “If you were capable of doing such a thing again, I would ban the practice. Once is tolerable, however. But I have to wonder what path you’ve chosen. Your odds of success on the Path of Battle have now dropped significantly. Does this mean that you have finally come to a decision?”

“Maybe,” Huxian said.

The Heartforge Spirit grinned. “Ultimately, the choice is yours. You are one of the few to have truly entered the Heartforge. What you make of yourself is up to you.”

When he left, Jadefall and Wu looked to Huxian expectantly. “Can you do the same thing for us?”

Huxian laughed. “If it was possible, wouldn’t I have just boosted all five of us so we could clear the trial at the same time?”

“Damn,” Wu said. “Stupid useless ability. Xuanwu shield.”

“If you had a different ability, things would probably be different,” Huxian agreed. “One of you is pure offence, and the other pure defence. But both of you are too weak as you are now. The Path of Sacrifice… is probably the best for either of you.”

“And you?” Jadefall asked. “What decision have you made?”

“I have chosen a path,” Huxian said cryptically. “It will be a bitter and difficult one, but I believe that in the end, it will all be worth it.”

“That’s good,” Jadefall said. “It’s good that you have a path. I… I don’t like my odds.”

Huxian nodded. “Wait a moment before making your final decision. I’ll go on ahead first. And whether you choose the Path of Battle or the Path of Sacrifice, I wish you all the best.

With that, Huxian approached the Path of Sacrifice. The path of the lonely, the downtrodden, and the desperate. Many of those present mocked and jeered him, but he didn’t care. From now on, he would need to get used to such things.

The Heartforge Spirit bore down on Huxian as he approached. The pressure it gave off was unlike any other – it exposed the lies in one’s heart and forced the truth to reveal itself.

This was the key to the entrance trial, Huxian realized. Those that weren’t completely honest with themselves or lacked introspection would find themselves weakened, and those who were consistent with their nature would find their spirit strengthened. He wondered how many would have passed if they’d only taken the time to properly reflect.

“What path do you chose, Lord Eight Directions?” the Heartforge Spirit asked. “What path do you choose, Bonded Companion of Daoist Clear Sky, and descendent of the Monarch Bagua Hushao, who protects our realm?”

“I choose the Path of Sacrifice,” Huxian said.

“And what… do you sacrifice?” the Heartforge Spirit asked. Its grin looked toothy from up close, despite its lack of a corporeal body.

“I choose to sacrifice… my God Beast Bloodline.” His words shocked all those present.

The Heartforge Spirit nodded as though he had expected this result. “Very good. A downgrade from the Bagua Fox bloodline to the Eight Directions Fox Emperor bloodline will suffice. And to whom do you sacrifice your bloodline?”

“To Jadefall and Wu,” Huxian said. He turned over and gave them both a wink. Jadefall and Wu’s jaws practically dropped to the ground, but he paid them no heed and stepped onto the Path of Sacrifice.

Chains of blood appeared, connecting him to the path and in turn to them. And when he began to move forward, Huxian felt unbearable pain as his aura fell, and his affinity for his surroundings faded.

With every step, his body weakened. His defences grew especially weak. He lost several abilities that he’d taken for granted – for example, his ability to set up a teleportation network, and a lot of his spatial piercing abilities.

Most notably, his ability to manipulate space didn’t fall as much, and his teleportation range wasn’t that bad. His weak power over time was also unaffected, which was a bonus. But overall, it was a huge downgrade. He had paid a terrible price.

There was only a single benefit to having done so, but to Huxian, it worth that and so much more: freedom. Freedom to pursue paths to power once closed to him. God Beasts had great strength, but few knew that that came with great limitations.

These limitations were called God Beast Shackles, and they prohibited God Beasts, the darlings of creation, from advancing in other paths. For example, the cultivation of energy and laws. A God Beast could not become a Dao Lord. A God Beast could not otherwise alter their bloodline to better suit them.

Huxian could no longer make the same teleportation, but that was something he could learn. He couldn’t pierce space as well or teleport as far, but he could train himself all over again.

It was a difficult path to choose because of his lazy nature, but in his heart he knew that this was the only path that suited him.

“How could you do that?” Jadefall from far away. “You gave up your God Beast Bloodline! How is that even possible? And why would you ever do such a thing?”

In truth, Huxian hadn’t thought it possible. Only a place like the Heartforge Realm could facilitate it. Moreover… he strongly suspected that Jadefall and Wu were here for a reason. They were here… to facilitate this decision.

“King level…” Wu said. “My bloodline.”

Jadefall’s Eye widened. “We have King Level Bloodlines?!”

“A God Beast’s power is not to be underestimated,” the Heartforge Spirit said, appearing beside them. “It is the best of nourishment for any bloodline. But that is especially the case for those that are descendants of God Beasts, like you both are.” It swept its arm and summoning their reflections. “Watch.”

“My hair…” Jadefall said. “Why is it ochre?” Her appearance had completely transformed. Not only was her hair ochre, but so were her horns. She gave off an incredibly sinister aura.

“Your bloodline was not just strengthened to king grade, but thanks to the God Beast blood, it underwent an evolution,” the Heartforge Spirit explained. “You are now the proud bearer of the Fallen Jade Ox Queen bloodline, which is tasked with cleansing the evillest of spirits in the Ten Courts of Hell. The bloodline has the potential to grow to emperor-grade with proper nourishment. And you…” He turned to Wu. “Your bloodline has also evolved and taken on an extreme heaven attribute, opposite Jadefall’s extreme earth attribute.”

“Heavenly Xuanwu Turtle Queen…” Wu muttered. She held out a hand and executed the only technique she knew, Xuanwu shield. It was now several times more powerful than before.

The Heartforge Spirit turned to Huxian. “You have lost, but you have also gained. Most who enter the Heartforge Realm do not take the time to properly reflect. These paths are not a trial to weed out the ungifted, but a trial of the heart. In truth, all who enter the Heartforge Realm have the potential to survive it. The reason half perish is because they can’t overcome their inner demons.”

A light flashed, and Huxian found himself in a pleasant valley. The sky was blue. To the left, there was a jade mountain. To the right, there was an ochre one. Between them was a demonic valley with every single to type of habitat imaginable.

A few minutes later, Jadefall and Wu appeared. They were covered in wounds and had clearly been fighting.

“Path of Battle?” Huxian asked.

“Yep.” Wu confirmed. She smiled and waved.

Jadefall, however, wore a conflicted expression. “I…” she said. “I will repay you with my life!”

“No need,” Huxian said, waving her away. “I made the sacrifice, not you. And believe me, I had my reasons.”

“That’s unacceptable,” Jadefall said. “You gave us so much. We must absolutely pay you back.” Wu also seemed uncomfortable with leaving things as they were.

“You’re overqualified as followers,” Huxian said. “It wouldn’t work out.”

“But this gift…” Jadefall said. “I can’t let this debt go unpaid.”

Huxian shrugged. “Do you both consider yourselves my friends?”

“Of course!” Jadefall said.

“Yeah!” Wu said with a shy nod.

“Then don’t worry about it,” Huxian said. “Friends don’t count favors.”

There was a price for everything. Had he accepted their proposal, he would have gained two perfect followers, but he would have lost something as well.

Friendship wasn’t forced. He’d learned that the hard way with Lei Jiang. Unlike his father, he refused to put any of his friends in unfavorable positions.

“Well, I hate to run off, but my human is on the way and not in good shape,” Huxian said. “See you around.” And with that, he left the two very confused women to ask around for a doctor, a monk, and a priest – not necessarily in that order.