It's Unnecessary

175. It's Unnecessary

The four old men in black suddenly frowned and spoke with a stern tone: "Don't get distracted."

For martial artists of New Terra, the Martial Abbey Cleansing represented a precious opportunity.

If they missed this opportunity due to a restless mind, and could only retain ten to twenty percent of the energy that passed through their bodies, they would regret it for a long time.

After the words landed, they made hand seals in unison.

A glimmer of light appeared in the Great Paladin's angry eyes, as if awakening from a deep slumber—his scattered thoughts gradually coalescing into clear consciousness.

Finally, turning his head with deliberate slowness, he gazed at the first statue on the right. A golden light suddenly emerged from the statue and flowed gently into the body of the young man in black armor.

The old men silently kept count. Ten breaths passed swiftly, then they changed their hand seals to release the light.

This was also an opportunity to evaluate the talent of those participating in the cleansing. Those with extraordinary talent would be noted by the Martial Abbey.

With intense focus, they watched and waited for the golden light to leave my body and return to the statue.

However, I remained seated quietly, with no golden light or trace of energy leaving me at all.

After waiting for a few moments, I turned to them and said, "Could you please continue?"

Being enveloped in this warm current felt incredibly soothing, and its effects surpassed my expectations.

[In the first year, you take over nine months to greedily absorb every bit of energy from the golden light. With this abundant accumulation of energy, the Cosmic Devouring Crystal begins to take shape.]

[Lifespan increased by two hundred years.]

One of the old men's eyelids twitched as he exchanged meaningful glances with the other three: "..."

Had this young man become some kind of gluttonous beast that only absorbed energy without releasing any?

Once again, they formed hand seals.

The Great Paladin's golden body stirred slightly as its gaze slowly turned toward the second statue.

Once again, the same golden light flowed from the statue and streamed into my body.

Just as before, none of the golden light escaped.

Without waiting for my urging this time, the third golden light emerged immediately after the ten breaths ended.

I entered my internal vision. In the sea of essence suppressed by the Melting Sun Furnace, a translucent core was taking shape at a speed visible to the naked eye.

[In the second year, you absorb the energy of the golden statue and ascend to the Crystal Realm.]

[Lifespan increased by two hundred years.]

After the fifth ray of light, the old men grew worried. "His energy consumption is already ten times that of a normal cleansing. What crystallization technique could he be using when he hasn't even fully crystallized?" One of them asked.

"Cosmic Devouring Crystallization," another one sighed.

"Which State does this H.A.R.M. general come from? It can't be..."

"Cascadia."

"How is he surpassing even the previous one? I recall that girl only managed to retain seventy-five percent."

They spoke in hushed tones while their hands continued making seals.

Until the seventh golden light emerged.

[In the seventh year, your Cosmic Devouring Crystal is fully formed.]

[Crystal Realm — Cosmic Devouring Crystallization (angelic grade): Apprentice]

Sensing the majestic power overflowing from the young man's body, the old men finally breathed sighs of relief. As they gazed at the seven golden statues—now noticeably dimmer—their expressions wavered.

Seeing that I remained seated, one of them couldn't help but remind me: "Young friend, you've just achieved a breakthrough and are at your peak state. There is no need for further cleansing. Even if you continue, it won't have any effect."

My mind was still focused on the sea of essence within my body.

The fully filled Vampire Devouring External Crystal was circling my Cosmic Devouring Crystal.

While both crystals were fully formed, the Cosmic Devouring Crystal was noticeably bigger, with its energy seamlessly connected to my body's major chambers and flowing unimpeded through my veins.

This was the truly perfect crystal core!

I activated the suppressing power of the Melting Sun Furnace and struck the external core once more, forcing it into the corner.

I opened my eyes, stood up, and said politely, "Please save it for me—I'll return for another cleansing in the future."

Though basking in the golden light felt wonderful, I wasn't indulgent enough to waste this precious opportunity on mere pleasure.

The old men in black waved their hands to remove the white fog at the entrance of the Martial Abbey and watched the young man depart from the hall.

… …

"That was quick! How are you feeling?" Arnold asked with surprise, as I entered the house.

"Not bad." I stretched, feeling contemplative. The heritage of New Terra rivaled even the panel in some ways. I was fortunate to have access to both.

More than the boost in strength, I was particularly interested in the extended lifespan.

After all, I had already experienced the power of fully crystallized vampire through the Vampire Devouring External Crystal.

[Remaining lifespan: 956 years]

This was my own life expectancy. When I was in the orphanage, the Nans would read the Bible to us. I had always wondered how Adam, Seth, and other early humans could live for nearly a thousand years. Now, gazing at my own thousand-year lifespan, I couldn't help but wonder if their perfect, unmutated genes had given them bodies equivalent to Crystal Realm experts.

While I could clearly feel the increase in strength, as someone in his twenties, I struggled to grasp the concept of such an immense lifespan.

Wouldn't this essentially make me immortal...

Composing myself, I turned toward our lodging, "I have three more cleansings left. Should I get a receipt from the Registration Office? And when will the weapon be issued?"

"Three more times left? How? Are you fully crystallized already?" Arnold Stark felt dizzy—hadn't it taken Aisha Patani ten cleansings to fully crystallize?

"I doubt you'll need a receipt, but I'll ask. The weapon should be ready soon." Arnold dutifully replied. "It will take extra time since we need to collect rewards for the other Vampire Hunters in Cascadia. Besides, we're attending the Prince's Mansion banquet tonight, so there's no hurry."

"I'm not going." I returned to my room. I had no interest in such social affairs.

Rather than socializing with others, I preferred to focus on breaking through to the harmonization stage.

"Okay..." Arnold sighed resignedly. Though he understood my decision to decline, he couldn't refuse Boris Prince's invitation himself. "It's getting late—I'll go alone. We're all from Cascadia, and we can't let General Patani attend the banquet by herself."

Even if he couldn't provide much help, another friendly face at the banquet would be welcome.

"Sure," I nodded.

After Arnold left the house, I sat beside the stone table in the courtyard.

First, I channeled my essence to compare the strength and control between my crystal core and the external crystal.

Then I closed my eyes and recalled the sections on Harmonization and Spiritualization from the Cosmic Devouring Crystallization Manual. Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the house.

I looked up and saw a tall figure standing quietly near the French door. She wore a beautiful Lehenga Choli, its intricate embroidery flowing down to her ankles in rich red and yellow patterns like vibrant tropical flowers. Her elegant neck, bare shoulders and chest flowed into a plunging neckline that descended deep into her dress. Her black hair fell to her waist, and her fair, delicate face with bright eyes and white teeth would make anyone's breath quicken.

That dress—it looked strikingly familiar—wasn't it the same Lehenga Choli she had worn in my illusions that night? I hadn't expected her to actually own one, let alone wear it in front of me. Fate worked in mysterious ways! A shiver ran through me as I sensed God's purpose in this coincidence.

However, I also noticed her body appeared slightly stiff beneath the long skirt, as though she were unaccustomed to wearing such formal attire.

Aisha Patani glided into the courtyard and settled silently at the table.

She retrieved two whiskey bottles from her storage tool, slid one toward me, and said softly, "Warm yourself."

"Why are you here?" I asked, leaving the bottle untouched.

Aisha Patani cast me a glance and took a sip of the strong liquor.

Then, delicately wiping the corner of her lips with her sleeve, she exhaled and said, "Because I suddenly realized it's unnecessary."

"What's unnecessary?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

The girl gazed at the whiskey in her hand, her clear eyes filled with determination, and said in a calm voice, "Cascadia has me—why borrow the hands of others?"