Chapter 87
The Next Stage
Tobias spent the Summer studying miasma while managing The Three Kingdom's response to the plague. The sage realm spirit herbs, along with Elder Chow, the growing number of cultivators who had contracted the plague while keeping it from spreading, were an invaluable source of information. Peace Master So infrequent experiments also offered additional valuable insights. Peace Master So had tested Tobias's theory on whether sage realm spirit herbs would protect other spirit herbs and discovered that sage realm spirit herbs either could not or would not protect their lower realm brethren from the negative effects of miasma, thereby accelerating their growth.
This was more than a little disappointing.
It was almost a disaster.
The Three Kingdoms had a limited supply of sage realm spirit herbs, and only a fraction of them would be able to ascend to immortality. Without the ability to accelerate the growth of lower realm spirit herbs, it was much harder to reduce the duration of the plague. They also wouldn't be able to accelerate the growth of the ingredients needed to produce spiritual droplet compression pills that would quickly increase their protectors' strength to manage the ongoing crisis.
However, while figuring out Tobias's theory was wrong, Peace Master So did manage to discovery that nascent soul realm spirit herbs no longer failed their tribulations. The miasma tribulations brought on by the plague enhanced the ascending spirit herbs to the point where they couldn't fail their ascension.
However, core realm spirit herbs were not so lucky, now instantly succumbing to the first bolt of their tribulation. Interestingly, placing core realm spirit herbs next to a sage realm spirit herb during their tribulation protected them from the miasma and ensured they ascended successfully.
Tobias and Peace Master So hadn't figured out why the sage realm spirit herbs would only help their lower realm brethren while passing through a tribulation, but it remained an important clue for how they could reduce the duration of the plague. A clue which they desperately needed.
Despite being well aware that praying to your immortal ancestors was how you contracted the plague, many were so used to faithful thinking the thought' Immortal ancestors help me through this day,' that dozens of people were turned into monsters each day. These monsters then set upon their neighbours, causing the plague to spread before cultivators arrived to deal with the threat.
Thousands of innocent people had been consumed by the plague, but their deaths were just a tiny fraction of the deaths across the same period during the previous outbreak, proving that their methods were working. In fact, their response was working so well that Tobias hoped they wouldn't have to dig into their grain reserves this year. Famine killed far more people than war, and it had to be prevented at all costs. Starving people became desperate, and desperate people prayed for salvation.
Salvation that wouldn't come.
Despite Peace Master So being needed beyond The Three Kingdoms border to mitigate the fallout of the plague, Tobias frequently called him back to help with research. Accelerating the ascension of the spirit herbs was their best bet for ending the plague without the world descending into chaos, and the lives lost during his absence had to be weighed against those that would eventually be saved.
Thankfully, discovering the protective symbiotic relationship of sage realm spirit herbs had already given the core realm cultivators hope. Instead of hiding their condition or trying to fix it on their own, like in the past, the moment they became infected, they would announce it and seek help. A nascent soul realm cultivator would then transport them to the nearest sage realm herb to stabilise their condition.
It didn't matter whether they were inside or outside The Three Kingdoms. Even the khans were willing to save their people if it meant they didn't have to risk their lives putting them down.
This one change meant that the nascent soul realm cultivators did not need to fight the monsters the core realm cultivators had become, freeing them to deal with the weaker threats that posed no risk to them. This had drastically reduced the scale of the disaster.
However, the biggest discover came after Scholar Chunhua intentionally contracted the plague to further her research. She was one of the earliest members of Tobias's academy and not a natural cultivator. Within three days of contracting the plague, her body and energy meridian networks had shown signs of improvement.
After a week, Tobias had sent for a divinity tester. Scholar Chunhua's previous tests had shown that she could barely light four crystals. Each day, he and Peace Master So watched her divinity grow. In just three weeks, she reached the point where she possessed the divinity of a natural cultivator. Her divinity had not stopped growing once she lit the fifth crystal, but it significantly slowed, which was why Tobias found himself visiting The Three Step Hills.
Her discovery could lead to the end of civilisation.
If Scholar Chunhua's divinity continued to increase indefinitely, then she had discovered a way to ensure immortality. The old monsters of the world would abandon the mortals to their fate and take their chosen into seclusion when they learned this. The plague would then ravage the world until there was nothing left.
Cultivator greed could not be underestimated.
Tobias and Peace Master So needed to hide the evidence of this trait for as long as they could. They knew it was impossible to keep her discovery hidden indefinitely, but each additional month gave the non-combatant cultivators the time they needed to hone their martial skills. When the old monsters abandoned them, it would fall to those left behind to keep the world safe.
Tobias kicked his foot against the ground, propelling his sword towards his family home, assessing the changes the Three Step Hills had undergone. His family had cut their way across the hills with their cultivation, removing the forest and rebuilding their tiered structure for tea plantations. The surrounding farmland was all worked by mortal farmers who served them, many of whom had at least three open and cleansed body meridians. This made their work less gruelling and their recovery quicker, thereby increasing their productivity as he'd hoped.
When Tobias was a boy, the Three Step Hills were a place of struggle and limitations. Now it was a place of abundance, with well-built homes for all and the largest grain reserve in The Three Kingdoms. The region was still chi-deprived despite the noticeable improvement from Tobias's youth. If things continued to improve at the current rate, it would be another century before the region could support foundation realm cultivators.
Many were already shocked by how quickly the recovery was progressing, but Peace Master So was about to drastically shorten that timeframe. Within a few months, he wanted the Three Step Hills to have one of the strongest cultivation foundations in The Three Kingdoms. He was going to attempt to make a hidden realm from scratch.
Tobias began to follow the old dirt road Lord Bi had built for his family, spreading his aura to let his family know he had returned. Tobias could not stay long, so he needed them to come to him as quickly as possible. There was too much he needed to do to follow etiquette.
Peace Master So's treasure trove of nascent soul realm spirit herbs that were ready to break through would soon paint a target on his back. And even he couldn't hold back so many old monsters if they all came for him at once, which was one of the reasons he wanted to make another hidden realm. The other reason was to motivate Tobias.
If his clan had their own hidden realm, they could contract the plague and increase their divinity to become immortals. If they could become immortals, then Tobias would be more motivated to continue his cultivation studies, which had stalled for decades.
Creating the first immortal clan so Peace Master So could ensure his adoptive father joined him in immortality was more important to him than even his own immortality. Bringing Tobias with him was just a bonus.
Tobias's reasons for accepting the hidden realm were far more practical. A new hidden realm would provide them with a place to hide their more problematic experiments and test subjects. So far, all those who had noticed the improvements to their divinity had been willing to keep the secret, understanding what would happen if the secret got out, but that wouldn't continue forever. Having a place to hide problematic cultivators was preferable to killing them. They were still the heroes of The Three Kingdoms after all.
Beyond the practicality of having another hidden realm to work with, Tobias wasn't sure how he felt about what they were going to do. Elder Cloud and Elder Mist had been infected for centuries, so the only way to ensure he freed his family from the plague would be to empty the immortal realm of so much miasma that losing any more would become problematic.
His family were going to be stuck in the hidden realm for centuries. Unable to leave the safety of their sage realm spirit herbs. It was an unreasonable demand for him to make, but they lived in unreasonable times, so Tobias couldn't reject the offer even if he wanted to.
Thankfully, Tobias found he trusted the heavens more and more with each new discovery. The heavens appeared to be trying to help them in every way they could. It was only through cultivators' self-centred assumptions and greed that everything had turned so disastrous. If they could unravel the heavens' intentions, everything should work out for the best.
Tobias slowed his speed as he approached the three hills he'd purchased with the bottle of pills he'd won all those years ago. The hills were now covered in beautiful manors, housing eight generations of his clan. Alarm bells rang across the Three Step Hills, alerting everyone that they needed to return. Figures leapt supernatural distances, dashing across the surface of flooded rice patties, as they rushed home. Other bells rang, signalling to those in nearby villages that everything was safe, preventing panic.
Tobias stepped off his sword before the archway that displayed their clan's banner and placed the sword in his storage ring. Children hurried out of their classrooms, and mothers stepped out of their gates, searching for the source of the disturbance.
Tobias's cousins had become builders and brick makers of exceptional skill, so the hillside was a thing of beauty. Their homes were designed for comfort, not ostentatious wealth. Each one was built around a spirit garden, which was the heart of his family's cultivation method. Peace Master So would soon uproot these gardens to help build their realm, upsetting everyone.
The little bonsai spirit willows were influenced by his dao of peace. As they had grown into trees, this effect had spread, giving the area a lasting sense of tranquillity. Infighting was no longer possible.
Tobias's relatives smiled and waved as they spotted him ascending the staircase. Despite being absent for over a decade, Tobias had memories from his clone's recent visits. He was well aware of how all his uncles, aunts, and cousins were doing, and he did not feel like they had spent much time apart.
Tobias continued towards his mansion at the top of the hill. "We're having a clan meeting," Tobias said, projecting his voice through his aura. "Everyone except children needs to come."
Mothers stepped inside to instruct the former eunuchs who served them on what was happening, and then followed. Others went to different areas across the hills where those returning from working on the plantation would arrive.
Tobias's father and mother were waiting for him on the second-highest tier. They had both entered the foundation realm and required a chi gathering array to live in the Three Step Hills. Before the plague, they had travelled frequently to reduce the strain their cultivation placed on the family's spirit gardens.
The divine beauty pill Tobias had gifted his mother had transformed her as much as it had transformed him, leaving her one of the most beautiful women in The Three Kingdoms. His father was only in the top thousand after consuming the same pill, but this didn't bother either of them. His mother liked to joke that he had once loved her despite their difference in appearance, so she was willing to do the same. His father would just grin, not even pretending like this bothered him.
His mother offered him a warm hug. "Your father thinks you're here to tell us to abandon The Three Kingdoms."
Tobias shook his head as he hugged her back. "The Three Kingdoms is the safest place on the continent. Abandoning it would be the height of foolishness."
"That's what I told him."
Tobias stepped away and hugged his father. The improvements to the man's cultivation and his constantly expanding education had left them closer. His father could now see how ignorant and harsh he had been to his children. However, he had always tried to do his best, even if his best meant beating them into a fearful state that let them survive the cruelty of the world. He'd looked back at his actions and apologised for the ignorant man he had been. He could not take back his action or have done anything differently because of his ignorance and the harsh life they'd lived, but he still hated the harm he'd caused.
Tobias had forgiven him long before his realisation, understanding his father better than he understood himself. Their talk had brought his father to tears when he realised he held no animosity towards him for his actions. His siblings had also come to the same conclusion long before their father, so they had reacted in the same way.
Tobias smiled as they hugged. "I heard you've put down several infected." His voice was filled with pride.
Tobias's family were not true cultivators, making them significantly weaker than other cultivators, and only a handful of those living in the Three Step Hills had reached the peak of the foundation realm. As such, they did not meet the qualifications necessary to join in on The Three Kingdoms' defence. They were only responsible for protecting the districts they owned and the mortals who lived there.
His father shuddered in his arms. "I knew them. They belonged to good families." His voice held so much horror that it washed away Tobias's pride.
The report Tobias received did not express his father's horror. He'd never seen the man so shaken.
His mother rested her hand on his father's shoulder as Tobias stepped back. "You save who you could. You can't keep blaming yourself."
"What happened?" Tobias tentatively asked.
His father wiped away tears, clenching his jaw, unable to answer.
His mother squeezed his shoulder. "One of the Cho Bi's youngest sons had a fight with his older sister. He was only seven. We think he stormed off and prayed to the immortal ancestors while he was upset. He'd bitten six of his playmates by the time your father arrived."
Tobias swallowed, feeling his father's pain. He received daily reports, but those reports did not tell him who had died or how they had died, only how many. He assumed his father would be proud of his actions. Proud that he had protected people. Instead, he was horrified that he had to kill a monster wearing a child's face.
Tobias gave him a second hug because he didn't know what to say. His father seemed to appreciate it.
Tobias let go and motioned to the stairs. "I need to greet everyone."
His parents understood.
***
Tobias's cousins had built him a palace worthy of his position as patriarch, but it lacked a reception hall large enough to host his entire clan, which had grown by thousands over the recent decades. His family were fully aware that cultivating beyond the mortal realm reduced fertility. Instead of treating this as a blessing, they approached it like a curse. Most of the younger generations waited until they had more than a dozen children before becoming initiate realm cultivators, clinging to the old mentality that every child was a blessing. As they lacked the divinity or natural cultivators, this did not affect their progress.
Tobias sat in his courtyard facing everyone, having just finished explaining Peace Master So's intentions and the risk their discoveries would bring to The Three Kingdoms and the world beyond its borders. He waited for their response.
His father flicked his fan, indicating he would speak.
Tobias responded with his fan that he could.
It had taken decades, but his family now behaved the way cultivators would expect.
"You're certain that accepting the plague will decrease the duration?" His father asked.
Tobias paused. "Everything I understand about the plague indicates that it will, but I cannot say with complete certain that I am correct. However, due to the beneficial nature of miasma, I do believe it will be impossible for the heavens to continue sending it to us indefinitely. However, I cannot say how long it will be before they run out. Anyone who commits to this path could find themselves spending decades, but likely centuries, sitting beside their spirit herb."
Tobias's grandpa, now with the regal bearing of a handsome older gentleman, thanks to his divine beauty pill, indicated he wished to speak. Despite his white hair, he had hundreds of betrothal offers from women half Tobias's age. "Our family cultivation method is based upon the ascension of a spirit willow. Will the miasma offer any additional beneficial effects besides making us real cultivators?"
"No. Miasma is chi contamination from immortal cultivators. I don't believe this will nourish our cultivation, but I could be wrong. If it were chi contamination from immortal spirit herbs, I believe it might have addition beneficial effects, but then sage realm spirit herbs would have no reason to protect us, because we would no longer be a source of nourishment and growth for them."
"What will happen to us if you are wrong?"
"If I'm wrong, we will have to spend the rest of our lives only a few steps from the sage realm spirit herbs that cannot ascend. To go any further will be fatal. We will live only as long as we choose to live this way or until age claims us."
Tobias was not in a position to contract the plague with them. He would have to wait until the plague had left The Three Kingdoms. Elder Cloud and Elder Mist had remained contagious even after the Great Plague was over, so the opportunity wouldn't disappear.
"What about hunger and the needs of the body?" Grandpa Finch asked.
"Hunger and thirst cause the barrier to open when food or water is brought. The spirit herbs recognise they cannot allow you to starve to death. However, the body's need must be relieved where you are. The sage realm spirit herbs are very efficient at breaking this down."
"Any clan could easily serve The Three Kingdoms in this capacity. Why should we take the risk?"
Tobias was grateful his grandpa had thought to ask. "This is an opportunity to turn The Three Step Hills into a region that can support our clan's cultivation indefinitely. If we choose to do this, we are not only helping to end the plague sooner but also building a legacy for our clan. Whether or not I am right about the consequences does not matter under these conditions."
Tobias' grandfather rose to his feet and turned to face seven generations of his family. "I have lived a longer life than I ever expected and have seen more heartache and happiness than I ever hoped during this time. For all of you, I am willing to accept the Exalted One's request and build a brighter future."
Tobias's father and uncles immediately stood up and made the same commitment. His mother and aunts rose next, sharing their sentiments. They were all old by mortal standards, and many of them had not expected to live as long as they had or so comfortably. They still did not have the mindset of cultivators, thinking they'd had enough time and were ready to step down for the next generation.
Tobias indicated that he wished to speak when they were finished, preventing the next generation from adding their voices. If this continued, each generation would feel mounting pressure to also commit.
"We cannot all commit to this path," Tobias said. "Some must remain to protect the mortals that live under our clan's protection. Some have children who need their parents to raise them. Tomorrow, I will be taking the same offer to those of our clan who live in Cloud City. Upon our return, the rest of you may give your answer, but I will not hear it before then."
Tobias received grateful looks from his uncles and aunts and knew he had made the right call.