Chapter 419: The Driver
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Ultimately, the Thousand Year Willow was a plant. Even though it had developed a lot from the occurrences and had a mind of its own from absorbing the spiritual droplets, it was still simple-minded for the past 20 years and was at most on par with a smart beast.
Even though it might have a strong mind power, it was nothing to Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan stood where he was, closed his eyes and allowed the willow tree's mind to attack him before striking back with his mind and enjoying the process of absorbing the tree's spiritual energy.
"Kacha!"
In his body, the 2nd Grade of the Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell was broken through.
The progress bar continued to fill up and in an instant, half of it was filled.
The process of absorption lasted for quite a while. As soon as Fang Yuan came to his sense, all that remained of the stump of the willow tree was a dried up piece of wood which crumbled into powder upon touch.
In his hands, he now had an emerald-green tree core which was around the size of an egg. It was translucent and let out a glow even more dazzling than that of a diamond and it seemed to be brimming with life.
"This is where the essence of the willow tree lies. However, to me, this is similar to Jani's power of the wind. All of these are external forces. Although I can absorb it, the disadvantage would outweigh the advantage. I'll just treat it as a treasure which would aid in recovery in the future!"
Examining it in close detail, Fang Yuan realised that the pure spiritual energy of the willow tree had long been absorbed by him moments ago and these were the leftovers.
Of course, to the average human, this would be a treasure which could potentially bring the dead back to life.
At this moment, Fang Yuan gazed at his stats window and noticed a huge change:
"Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 5.0
Spirit: 20.0
Magic: 20.0
Profession: ???
Cultivation: ???
Technique: [Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell (Grade 4 (55%))]
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 5)], [Fiery Golden Eyes (Level 1)]"
"Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell: The 1st Grade would grant you the Spiritual Droplets Affined Body and an increase in your energy sense! 2nd Grade of Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell would grant you the ability to release spiritual energy! The 3rd Grade of Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell is complete! You now have the ability to spiritualise!"
"The ability to spiritualise... Is this my Murderous Grade skill?"
Fang Yuan was lost in his thoughts.
In actual fact, up until now, his abilities were no different compared to the Murderous Grade mutants. However, due to the fact that he was able to make full use of his ability and had too many unpredictable techniques, he created the illusion that he was a Calamity Grade mutant. All of these were just an illusion.
"The different grades of the Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell is in fact the grading of the mutants. After all, this is a technique which I have created to suit the laws of this realm..."
Thoughts ran wild in Fang Yuan's mind.
If he was a normal person, the completion of the 1st Grade would allow him to form the Spiritual Droplets Affined Body and an increase in his energy sense. This would make him a Mortal Grade mutant.
The completion of the 2nd Grade would give him the ability to release spiritual energy and this would make him similar to Daoist Guo and Little Night before the second occurrence. He would be a Ghost Grade mutant with the ability to execute spells.
Only now at the 3rd Grade, with the ability to spiritualise, would Fang Yuan be able to have the ability to go against an entire army and the combined forces of other mutants, putting him up at the Murderous Grade.
"Spiritualise!"
With his spiritual will, Fang Yuan commanded and in an instant, he disappeared.
No! He did not disappear. There was a shadow where he once stood.
"I am here and I am not here at the same time... to make things simple, I would be able to become illusionary for a short instant and therefore dodge powerful firepower and attacks... Only with this technique of spiritualising would I be able to go against an entire country's army and have the potential to rule the world!"
If a normal person were to cultivate to such a stage, they would be able to go head-on against powerful mutants like Jani.
Since this was Fang Yuan, it would mean that his power would be multiplied and this meant even more destructive force!
"If I were to go down the line, the 4th Grade of the Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell should be the power of a Calamity Grade mutant... I still don't know how far I have to go before I can harness the power of an area..."
"However, I am already the most powerful in the entire world to be able to reach this stage! Comparatively, nobody can ever become more powerful than me, be it beasts or mutants!"
Fang Yuan clenched his fists but remained composed. "Next up... is to clear things up, right? Clear up all the nodes in the world and push my limits to the maximum before peacefully waiting for the arrival of the third occurrence!"
According to his theory, the concentration of spiritual droplets would be 4 times higher more compared to now.
At the fourth occurrence, the Spiritual King Comet would arrive and join the orbit of the Earth.
Therefore, his final chance would be at the third occurrence!
"However... in Chinese Country, I have already checked out every corner. It seems impossible to locate anything else more drastic than the mutation of this Thousand Year Willow..."
The bottleneck of every subsequent stage of the Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell would be many times more difficult than the previous stage.
With another 45% to go, Fang Yuan knew that it was still insufficient even if he absorbed another Thousand Year Willow.
With a sigh, he gazed towards the West. "Next up... I'll have to venture overseas?"
Considering Fang Yuan's identity, Xi Menjian would never allow Fang Yuan to leave the country, but Fang Yuan couldn't care less.
He had joined the research centre to gather information about the human body and sense for himself the rules of the world to perfect his theory and his cultivation.
Now, he was leaving for the same reason, which was to achieve a higher cultivation.
The path of cultivation laid in the ability for one to do whatever one wished!
Since he could leave the country with his abilities, what was there left to hold him back?
...
After a few days.
Golden Eagle Federation, Purple Finch City.
The sky was a brilliant blue and there were occasional fluffy clouds floating around.
In the outskirts of the city, on a large empty field, a huge airship was landing.
Although aeroplanes were already invented, they were still the latest technology and the price to fly an aeroplane was still much more expensive compared to that of an airship.
Therefore, if there was no rush for time, the main mode of transport for people and goods were still the usage of airships.
The airport at Purple Finch City was one of the largest in Golden Eagle Federation and there were more than 10,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of goods flowing through the airport daily.
At this point in time, an airship landed and people of all nationalities started to disembark before gazing at the architecture in this foreign country.
As the birthplace of revolutionary technology, even though it had been weakened after the world war, the Golden Eagle Federation was still standing strong and was dubbed the 'Lighthouse of the West' in terms of culture. This attracted people from all over the world to either come here to explore and learn more about the country or even migrate here for good.
"Respectable guests, welcome to Purple Finch City. Please take your leave from the exits of the station in an orderly manner and cooperate with the customs officers. The foreign exchange and the taxis are at..."
From a loudspeaker, there was a female voice speaking in the language of the Federation.
Fang Yuan took his sunglasses down and examined the place curiously.
He had to admit that the Golden Eagle Federation was rather well-developed and was filled with a modern vibe. However, that was all to it.
"Hopefully, I will be able to find what I am looking for!"
Fang Yuan mumbled to himself as he walked towards the customs.
"Sir, please cooperate with the customs officers!"
As two white people took notice of Fang Yuan's skin colour, they gave a dissatisfied look and started to despise him. "Also... show us your travel document!"
"Alright!"
Fang Yuan replied in a fluent Federation language before presenting his passport.
Of course, the passport was fake. Although the Golden Eagle Federation would surely welcome Professor Fang with hospitality and that Fang Yuan would not need a passport and would likely be granted citizenship, he knew that with his special identity, if he were to reveal his true identity, he would no longer be allowed to leave the country.
Therefore, he had to fake his passport.
However, after glancing at the passport, the two customs officers rudely returned the passport to Fang Yuan before signalling him to quickly take his leave.
The citizens of Golden Eagle Federation were snobbish people.
They were the heart of civilisation. No matter how much they were weakened, they were still the most powerful country in the west, and one of the proudest in the world.
"Hmph..."
Fang Yuan carried his luggage and left the airport, snickering to himself.
If not for the fact that he had to keep a low profile, he would have taught those two snobbish people a lesson.
'Although I cannot physically let them look bad, it is worse now that I have released inauspicious energy in them. They would surely suffer from illnesses and diseases in the future...'
After taking his revenge, he regained his composure and walked to the road outside.
"Hey! Brother, are you from the Middle Continent?"
A white driver noticed Fang Yuan and his eyes glistened. "I am John! Are you looking for a hired car?"
To him, Fang Yuan was a fat sheep ready to be slaughtered for his money, for Fang Yuan appeared young and lost in this big city. Most importantly, looking at how Fang Yuan dressed, he might have quite some cash with him!
"That's right!"
Looking at the driver's sneaky expression, Fang Yuan thought about his previous life where those taxi drivers were out to scam others of their money.
Of course, what caught his attention more was the bloody stench coming from John.
"I want to go to Chinatown. Do you know the way there?" Fang Yuan smiled sheepishly, acting like a dumb customer.
"Of course... I grew up in the estate next to Chinatown. Take my car and I will bring you there for a discounted price of 15 dollars!"
John professionally came over and took the luggage from Fang Yuan. "Let's go... we'll be there in no time!"
"Alright!"
Fang Yuan went into an old-looking steam car and John smiled widely as he closed the door for him. "Brother... welcome to Purple Finch City!"
"Rumble!"
At the steam-powered car roared to life, Fang Yuan's sensitive ears could pick up some other voices.
'Hehe... Ratty John has picked up another business!'
'What an unfortunate foreigner!'
'Hope the Lord blesses him...'
....
'It seems like... this person is not as simple as a driver who is out to scam me!'
Fang Yuan lowered his hat and revealed a sinister smile.
As the black car honked and swerved along the road, they soon arrived at a deserted industrial estate. There were abandoned factories everywhere and old-looking warehouses.
"Is this Chinatown? Why does it seems like we are further and further away from the city?"
Fang Yuan examined the surroundings and casually asked.
"Of course, of course..."
John snickered and had a sinister look on his face as though Fang Yuan was his prey.