Within the ranks of the most accomplished masters in the world, very few ever practised fortification beyond a certain point.
The reason for this was simple. A vessel can only bear so much.
Around four thousand years ago, Dao Tian, the first ascender, discovered the manifestation of qi to make up for the limit of fortification.
Dao Tian was the most respected practitioner of all time. However, all legends had their vices; Dao Tian was no exception.
In his search for extending the upper limit of fortification, he'd often research demons of the highest rank.
However, in all his research there was no known compendium of its results.
Until today, that is.
"The only way to remove the limit of fortification is for the vessel itself to evolve or for the limits of the vessel to weaken." Danho read the contents of the manual out loud, his very tone shaking at the significance of it.
"Demons of the highest rank achieve strength not through evolution but rather through regression. However, this is not applicable to the human form."
The room darkened at the implications of the manual.
"... Was the ascender really a heretic?"
"Well, let's not make any assumptions yet."
Danho flipped a page over. Clearing his throat to continue reading.
"Unlike demons, humans do not descend from a greater bloodline. Unfortunately, we are the greatest variant of our lineage. Natives to the lesser heavens."
"The only way to break through the limit of humanity is to invert the heavens upon yourself."
"The path to evolution lies within us, not in our body. Rather, in our qi, our qi entangled in intent."
Danho's fingers trembled as he turned to the next page. The light of morning freezing dust in place.
"Imbibe your soul unto your body; temporarily break the limit of fortification. The entanglement of the soul and body shall refine you."
Breaths grew heavier, the clear sky of morning covered with tumultuous clouds.
"When change has reached the limit of humanity, the heaven shall notice. Tribulation shall strike to discern one's worthiness, for what lies beyond mortal flesh."
The symphony of morning turned to the wrath of the heavens. A storm engulfed the Hearth of Demons.
A deep silence ensued, contrasting with the voracity of the storm that engulfed them.
"Intent to direct the stage of evolution..."
"It seems that the ascender was quite the eccentric."
"At least he wasn't a heretic."
"..."
The silence ensued until the storm came to rest. The intensity of emotion between the two finally calmed.
"I'll write a copy of the technique now. Could you check what the map in the chest was for?"
"Yeah, I'll do that."
Vera opened the map from the chest. Unlike the manual, it didn't carry any ancient majesty.
However, the contents still shook Vera.
"Danho..."
"Yes?"
"You might want to make a copy of the map as well."
"What's on it?"
"..."
"Well... spit it out already."
"The map has the location of all five guardians and their species."
The silence that dimmed returned. Carrying a greater weight than before.
***
Waves fizzled into shore, a salty scent in the air. The change in atmosphere told them that this was the end of their time together.
"Danho, I wish you the best in your future endeavours."
"Stop it with that nonsense. You won't die here, and I will ascend."
"..."
"Challenge the guardians with a clear heart, Vera. This won't be the last time we meet. After all, I still have a score to settle with you."
"Hmm... if that's the case, I definitely can't die here."
"Hahahaha"
"Hahaha"
The laughs they shared eased the tension of Vera's back. The map gave Vera a sense of inevitability, one that he didn't have when he first arrived at the continent.
"If it's not too much to ask. Could you send my master a letter when you get back?"
"Of course. What should I tell him?"
"Tell him that I'm alright. Tell him that by this time next year, I will be in the land of the ascended."
"I will."
Danho walked to the shore. The sound of sand brushing against his boots turned quiet.
"Take care of yourself, Vera. I will meet you again in the Greater Heavens. When we meet again, I shall set the score straight."
"Yeah, I'll wait for you."
Danho dove into the sea, his visage swallowed by the raging waves of the Demon Continent.
Vera's expression dimmed.
"Acting all cool... You forgot to bring a boat, didn't you?"
A quiet laugh escaped Vera. The solitude of the journey that lay ahead brought a newfound intensity to his eyes.
Heavy steps bit into the shore, soon turning to the crunching of mud. Vera's body disappeared into the canopy of the continent.
A gate to one's tomb or the path to one's ascension.
Dusk bored darkness into the light of day. A dim light permeated from a camp, with the blood of wildebeest sprinkled around its perimeter.
Vera sat silently, his eyes glued to the map.
"The closest guardian from the shore is almost a month of travel away..."
"As for the species... A Bixie?..."
Vera looked deeper into the description of the map.
"A lesser descendant of the divine beast Qilin. A horned lion with earthly attributes. Its abilities allow it to suppress all those with evil intentions..."
Vera skimmed through the description. Other than the attribute itself, the rest of the abilities didn't make much sense to him.
Under the flickering light of his camp, Vera looked at the species of all 5 guardians.
"Qingniao, lesser descendant of the divine phoenix."
"Zhuyan. Precursor to the Heavenly Sage, the master of eternal peace."
"Baize. Precursor to the Divine Scholar, the master of eternal wisdom."
Vera's eyes scanned through the map looking for the last guardian. His eyes led him to the northern end of the continent. An island that stood inside a vast lake. Secluded from all life on the continent.
Vera's breath hitched as he read its name. Memories of Vast Heavens flooded in.
His mouth quivered as he called out the name of the final guardian.
"The favoured child of Heaven."
"The king of the guardians."
"..."
"The Jiao. Lesser descendant of the Divine Dragon."
The urge to action he'd felt on his journey to the Demon Continent burnt through his skin again.
The wind followed his actions; each movement created resounding explosions through the air.
His manifestations melting into his skin.
His visage turned unstable. Ethereal, almost.
The covers of night rendered the continent one with the dark skies. A small golden sun stood within it.
The veracity of its movements turning night to day.