Quest Maker: 374 (Patreon)

Title: Fatal Path (2)

Ja Sun knew well that his explanation on the path of cultivation had gripped everyone's attention. Yes, intrigue and worry can be felt by him by a few individuals around him but until now, Ja Sun has not given them any reason to fret aside from his bold statement of dying.

Gesturing towards the orb of light in his hand with his other free hand, Ja Sun smiles, "So, you guys now understand that this is the sum of my cultivation. Sure, I still need a left leg bone but that is it. After this, you all are aware, comes Godhood. And you all are also aware that only for humans, there are two known ways of ascension— triggering tribulation of Godhood or through inheritance."

"To trigger your own tribulation, ordinarily, you need to be a master in any of the Laws. All 100000-year-old beasts and those who become human have mastered a Law at the bare minimum..." he eyes the women who fall in this category, "It's just that your own lack of knowledge about the Laws make you feel that this is an 'instinct' rather than skill. If you focus, I am sure you will realize how you can use and 'create' spirit skills which is an expression of the Law in question."

"What about our Spirit Souls?" Xie Xan questions. Some of them have 100000-year-old spirit souls, after all.

"It is their comprehension, not yours. You can benefit from it but it won't exempt you from comprehending it from the beginning," Ja Sun explains calmly, "And don't clatter questions regarding how to wield the Laws and whatnot. That's where my private tutoring sessions lay..." he winks and then looks at the two couples blankly, "Not for the four of you, of course... you get public demonstrations."

"Oh, no, pitiful us," Xie Xan rolls his eyes.

"Alright," Ja Sun steers the conversation once again, "The first requirement to induce a tribulation is being a master in any of the Laws but the greater the understanding the better. There are also other requirements such as the set of spirit bones, being rank 99 for creating the path for tribulation, and many more 'smaller' details. And this is the path I am more experienced in after viewing Xunji's tribulation in great detail.

The other method is to inherit a God's... Godhood. Bibi Dong follows that path. In this, you'll get a few trials, and completing them is supposed to make you a God.

I... was offered a third path."

"Offered?" Bibi Dong notes this term.

Ja Sun nods.

"In this path..." Ja Sun directs his gaze to the orb of light in his palm, "I will inherit an understanding of the law from spirit beasts. Hence, a path that has the aspect of inheritance. And... then I will induce the tribulation. In essence, a combination of both aspects."

Furrowing his brows deeply, Ja Sun takes a moment and words himself in a more formal manner, "The way I will 'inherit' said Laws from a Spirit Beast, not an ordinary one but as I said, a 100000-year-old beast is by making them my... living martial souls."

Sweeping his gaze over the group, Ja Sun is distressed. Oh, he loved the days when beasts like Bing Bing and Snow would instantly fear for their lives if he spoke about things like this but right now, all of them are waiting for him to complete with a curious expression.

Releasing a soft sigh, Ja Sun points at the orb of light, "I won't bore you with the technicalities of how to create a living Martial Souls. I WILL, however, explain its effects and consequences. Let's start with the effects. Any spirit beast that becomes my martial soul will retain their autonomy. In fact, they won't be 'inside' my body. I mean, they can reside within me but they will still be the same beast except for the fact that our soul origins will be melded completely. That is all. This method is reminiscent of how first spirit masters came to be."

"Its consequences are even simpler. Take this orb of light that demonstrates my path. In this path, all I have left to achieve is to absorb a left leg bone and the remaining five spirit rings for my second martial soul. After that, there will be no 'gap' for my growth. If I forcibly add another martial soul, this vessel would 'crack.' In essence, I die. There is no defiance of heaven in that. It is simply logical that my body gives in finally and breaks away. Maybe I will explode."

This causes others to stir a bit but Ja Sun continues calmly, "So, to add a martial soul, I must remove something from this orb to MAKE space for strength."

This makes others glimpse.

But... Ah Yin's lips part slightly. She is quick to connect the dots. Her ability to comprehend cultivation is no less than Ja Sun since Qian Daoliu taught them in such a manner that forced them to think of all the nuances.

"So..." she looks at Ja Sun, "You take out your very life to make space for strength."

Ja Sun smiles, "That's why I love you—"

"Don't give us that crap!" Erlong explodes, "This is beyond your usual level of stupidity!" She stands and glares at Ja Sun, "Who gives up their lives literally for power? And aren't you already strong?—"

"Sit down," Ah Yin stares at Erlong icily, "And don't try to belittle him before understanding his goals when he has not even commenced anything as of yet."

"What—"

Matching Erlong's stupefied stare with her increasingly annoyed and cruel stare, Ah Yin states again, "Sit."

"No need to vent on each other," Ja Sun cackles and looks at Erlong, "Yin's pissed because even she can't heal my 'lifespan.' And I have a reason. And it's not because of me being greedy to comprehend the Laws."

Exhaling, Ja Sun gestures to Erlong to sit down and she does while keeping her glare locked on Ah Yin's stare.

"As I was explaining, to become a God, be it spirit, internal, or mental energy, all of it is needed. So, the only viable thing to expel from me is my lifespan."

Being the only one to chuckle, Ja Sun reveals the real reason, "I should also be open about the reason why... It's simply the consequences of my actions. Another tribulation, you might even say." Dissipating the orb of light from his hand, he comments, "Let me reveal one thing. After absorbing that Dark Devilgod Tiger's core, I can devour 'things' to comprehend Law. I can devour a spirit bone with an affinity with fire to comprehend more about the Law of Fire.

This ability should not exist and hence, is an evil attribute of devouring."

"So... why?" Bibi Dong questions softly.

His deposit of Spirit Bones suggests that he doesn't need to follow this suicidal path but this is where Ja Sun's recent comprehension lies.

"Well, how do I put it mildly?" He narrows his eyes ponderously and cups his chin as he feels others' gazes settle on him. Taking a full minute, Ja Sun finally claims, "It's no longer shit and giggles, that is how I would put it mildly. Back then Ah Yin and I easily infiltrated Spirit Hall. Even before that, my death meant little to me. It still means little."

This earns him well-earned glares from every side but that doesn't stop Ja Sun from being honest, "Every action I took, I did so willingly in the hope to defy someone. Well, not EVERY action precisely but most of them. I offended gods and men alike. It's too late for regrets. Fortunately, I don't regret my actions. But take an objective look at our situation."

For once, a wave of sternness projects from Ja Sun's being. The kind of aura Bibi Dong projects when she leads. The kind Ja Sun used to project in his previous life, "Even now, we are going to pick apart Poseidon's inheritance. I want to do it knowing the result. You guys... you guys are following my stupid actions knowing the result. And I may call this action stupid but in reality, for me, it is far from that."

A moment of struggle flashes in his expression, "I don't know what I have done to invoke such... loyalty from you all. Well, not you, Feng Liu. Bibi gets credits for you. And, I mean, I know what I have done but I cannot fathom how crazy you all are equally to feel so calm while doing irrational things."

"If no one has made it clear then let me reveal how irrational things have become. A true god in the mortal plane is after us. The said true God is smart enough and learns from his mistakes. So, every moment he lives makes him a fatal threat.

Beyond that, I reckon, the majority of gods hold nothing but hate for us. Hate for me, to be honest, and this courtesy is extended to you because of your connection with me."

Grinning, Ja Sun reveals, "If I wasn't so selfish, I might have even considered leaving you guys for good."

He stops for a moment and glances at the tearful Xiao Wu. While she cried, Ja Sun could sense Erlong and Hu Lana, Oscar, and Jun'er fighting back their tears. There is an unprecedented look of solemnity in Bi Ji, Bing, Snow, and Xie Xan's eyes. While Ah Yin and Bibi Dong look slightly... dazed.

"I can guess you all feel safe because I've always been the best bet. I am glad... I am also glad that you guys never once lost your drive to get strong for yourself. But... I am the reason your path to Godhood may be cut off effectively. As I said, it is no longer shit and giggles. It wasn't before either but now the stakes are higher... much more than just us."

Chewing his bottom lip in contemplation, Ja Sun glances at Ah Yin's pregnant belly with a look of fondness.

"And... I feel that soon, my resolve to look things through death itself may not hold out," he chuckles, reaching out to pat her stomach as he feels the quirky one inside of her kick against his touch. Well, the kid can screw off. Ah Yin's his alone.

Breaking down into soft sobs, Hu Lana hugs her belly and Ja Sun glances at her for a moment.

"But the threats don't end here. Aside from Qian Xunji and the Gods, there is another being who wants my life... The Lady of Lake."

"Huh?" Ja Yin snaps and looks at him.

"Who do you think gave me this method of godhood?" Ja Sun inquires with a smirk.

"So? To answer your question about why I'll have to take this path," Ja Sun glances at the glum Bibi Dong, "Only you can become a God. I will not let Poseidon's inheritance live no matter what so consider that ship to power sailed and others cannot become a God to fight other Gods. Even if I succeed... I think beasts like Asura will have my hands full. And I am hoping for you to 'reconcile' with your Master once you become a God.

What about the rest?

The only way I can have a good number of Gods is if they ascend along with me. That is the greatest benefit of becoming a Martial Soul," Ja Sun reveals, "You remain a beast and become a God, nonetheless."

"At the cost of your life," Bibi Dong concludes.

"Only if my lifespan gives out before I become a God. But once I have nine martial souls... there is very little reason why Lady of the Lake will not make her move and there lies the true threat."

"You know her true identity?" Ja Yin looks at him.

"Pretty much," Ja Sun smiles, "But don't look like I really died..."

"I have a plan." His assurance barely makes anyone feel better.

"Let's hear it," Bibi Dong sighs.

"Well, since I know who or what the Lady of the Lake is... I will first target her and make her my martial soul."

The simple yet most effective plan catches others by surprise as he continues, "And when it comes to expelling my lifespan... it doesn't mean I cannot find a way to store it externally."

This dries up others' tears really quickly and makes them deadpan at him.

"As for becoming a God, having more martial souls make little difference. It'll just be me enduring the tribulation like usual. So there you go, you'll have gods most easily. And as for facing Gods beyond the mortal realm... did you forget that Gods can live here for hundred years in the mortal realm? Qian Xunji is HERE after all."

"Wait..." Hu Lana looks up at him with her eyes still watery and red, "If it's so simple why'd you make us go through all that you jerk!!!"

Musing, Ja Sun speaks with an honest expression, "Honestly, my plan about this was still in the workshop. At first, I wanted to just elude that I had something going on in the ship and spook all of you but... that wasn't going well. And constantly eluding to it would make you all skeptical."

With a look of sheer shock, Bibi Dong gapes, "Don't tell me..."

And with the most wicked grin, Ja Sun cackles, "Now that's my new level of prank—"

Ah Yin's blue silver wine binds him and covers his mouth.

"Do what you want with him except for permanently harming his dick and balls."

She gives Ja Sun a cold stare before scoffing coldly and leaving.

Bibi Dong snorts and leaves, too.

But others don't.

Not skirting away from the consequences of his prank since Ja Sun loved every moment of spewing that bullshit, his divine intent questions, "Come on... you aren't angry, right? Wu? Violet? Wait, Feng Liu doesn't get the right... maybe she does?"

Alas, even the most docile of the group such as Bi Ji Xiao Wu, Bei, Yuehua, and Violet only eyed Ja Sun with blank yet cruel glints in their eyes, much less lovers of violence like Zi Ji and Erlong.

"Come now... it was just a prank..." Ja Sun's wry chuckle snickers in their heads... but none of them looked amused.

***

Alternate Title: Guys, It's Just a Prank: The Prank; And the Oscar Goes To... Ja Sun! Due to an Accident, He Cannot Be Present For the Awards *Sweats*; So Sincere That It'll Prank Ya!; Tribulation of a Prank; When It's Educational AND Funny... Right? Right Guys?; Fatal Prank IS Fatal Path!

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A/N: I hope Ja Sun pranked the lot of you all.