It seems the energy had reached a threshold, and it wasn't as easy as the previous ones. The octagonal prism only had eight angle points and eight tightly knitted circles.
Kkhaa owwl…
Blood cried out in serious pain as his ears and eyes started burning. He wanted to stop the cultivation for later, but he knew better.
It was a concrete felling he could feel. In his current state if he were to stop, he would surely regret it all his life. The pain was almost unbearable, but he endured.
His repression became solemn as he concentrated fully on absorbing the energy.
A brilliant light suddenly flashed as a stinging pain assaulted his heart, he held his knees tightly and cough out blood. He remained seated and focused his attention on the dim silhouette before him.
After the sudden flash of light, the interior circle knitted to the seventh angle of the prism was pierced and energy begin to fill the circle. The colorful energy going around each circle gush in violently.
At the same time…
The impulse of heaven and earth energy in the outside world wasn't reduced instead it was energized as it churned crazily and the diameter reached a striking one meter.
The energy quickly filled the circle and continued its cause until the eighth and last circle was filled to the brim.
The colorful energy brightens and releases a mysterious glint as the pressure on Blood lessen considerably.
Since all the circles were filled and the energy trapped with nowhere to go, it quieted down returning to its dormant state.
Still, the energy within each circle burned brightly clearing the dark space.
Blood stood up and look around the seemingly dark space. There was nothing interesting to see except the glowing prism.
He could fell that his strength had increased standing at the very peak of the Iron realm. Just a small tap and he would breakthrough the Bronze realm barrier.
He sat in a cross-legged position again to initiate the breakthrough, but nothing could be felt as if he was missing some elements. It was like the path was closed and he had to wait.
"How do I even get out of this place." he mumbled to himself. He wasn't the one who willed to be here in the first place. He was just here taking the benefits it could provide.
He knew that cultivators could see their Spiritual space from the outside world but couldn't enter it. However, he was clearly inside his Spiritual space right now. It was astounding.
The Spiritual space was the envisioning domain of a cultivator containing the Knowledge Sea where all knowledge was stored, and also cultivation progress could be felt and monitored.
It is the lifeline of a cultivator, encasing the core, the main source of cultivation advancement.
Furthermore, no one in normal circumstances would allow someone else inside their Spiritual space because the core was in its most vulnerable state. It could easily be tampered with.
Also, the shape and position of the core could be known putting one in a difficult position when fighting since one had to also look out for one's core not to be pierced.
Blood sighs and a desire to be in the outside world steeped him and almost instantly he could see himself sitting in a cross-legged position and could see his sister going in circles around him.
He shook his head, patted his shoulder and stood up. Sweats were consistently dripping down his shoulders. He looked through the window and saw it was morning.
It was a long night. Without even paying attention to his sister's skeptical gaze, he left for the bathroom.
He came out after some time and could still feel the tensed atmosphere in the room. He dried himself and dove onto the bed only for his silent snoring to disturb the room.
Ivory released a huge sigh and joined him on the bed as they slept.
______
Just as Ivory slept, the door open and Salza walked in, his expression solemn. The kids' tricks wouldn't work today
He called out their names a few times but didn't receive any answer. After several times of unrequited call, he could only shake his head before closing the door behind and went for the dining.
_____
It was afternoon, the sun hung high in the sky as its subtle heat went through the transparent glasses, hitting the duo lying on the bed.
Ivory struggled to wake up as she spread her hands wide, which came hitting down on Blood's face, rudely waking him up.
"Ouch!"
He stretched his legs wide on the bed as he yawned looking at the slight smile on her little sister's sleepy face, before going down the stairs. He visited the kitchen and filled his empty before leaving through the main door of the manor, going straight for the gates.
His parents were probably not home by this time of the day…
Just as he closed the door, he met Ballock just outside. He was seated below the trough as if waiting for someone. He was in deep thought that he didn't even notice his presence when he got closer.
"Hey, what is it you are so thoughtful about. It's been sticky this past month, hasn't it? How are you doing? I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you." Blood inhaled deeply. He clearly hadn't forgotten the matter of the strange feeling before he lost consciousness.
"These past few days had been very hectic." Ballock stated, his expression tensed. "The remaining crystals finished just after you went into that damn state. With no power the digging couldn't be continued. I had to go out to the forest to source for resources. That actually isn't the main thing. What almost made this life of mine terrible was the consistent troubling of the strange feeling which was now able to voice its feelings." Ballock blatantly said in a loud voice and took a moment to resume his sit.
His eyes flashed a red hue as red energy seem to be condensed at his pupils. It took only a moment, but Blood felt the threatening notion, almost calling out his weapon. It felt like a different person suddenly replace him altogether. He relaxed when he saw the energy recedes.
"It became reprehensive any moment I entered its vicinity and as days passed it became worse. You are the only thread left which I'm hanging by or else I might be in the hole digging with bear hands." Ballock added, his voice fell toward the end. He was really depressed.
Blood's expression turned gloomy as he could feel the harshness of Blood's tone even as he tried to appear calm. He must have suffered a great deal. He took a closer look at his body once more and he could see some tiny detail he had neglected before.
His clothes must have covered the others.
There was a long visible line which cut across his chest. His face was a little rough, and his nose was shifted to the side. Not until he looked carefully could he see them clearly. His clothes must be hiding a lot more.
He blamed all of this on the Blood Book since it abruptly made him disappeared and fell unconscious. He was placed in a venerable state. He was truly lucky enough he was indoor and secured.
The deterring feeling troubling them was always imminent. It was going well since they complied and started digging the place, likewise, the strange feeling was pernicious whenever they abstain from digging.
With Ballock's discovery, at least they could keep the feeling off their backs by keeping their distance.
Blood clenched his fist. He was being enslaved in his own turf. Power caused through his muscles just thinking about it.
Nevertheless, he realizes his increase in strength.
He was never this strong!