Ben said goodbye to the crane and made the spirit vessel dive to the mountain forest below.

Not long after they were alone again, Ben, Terra and Lin Feng all felt something’s attention on them from high above. A feeling of danger grew in Ben’s mind.

“Prepare yourselves!” He shouted.

Weapons appeared, tasks were abandoned and the whole group of forty odd people on the airship prepared for combat.

‘It’s another tear in space! There, just off the bow. That Qi is somewhat familiar...’ Alice told him.

A patch of space not far from the airship tore away to blackness. Through the rift burst ghostly tentacles that probed and reached for Ben. He prepared an attack, but stopped when he felt one of his companions start to act.

Ben’s largest specially designed interspatial ring released it’s dark inhabitant.

The abyssal abomination Ben had named Rupert released a small portion of it’s body and sent out black branching tentacles that grasped at the ghostly tentacles coming from the rift. He had the highest brute strength out of anything but Ben’s strongest weapons, but had been unable to fight in the hellstorm that had been Vorchin. Rupert was a creature of the deep sea and he would have been roasted alive.

Now he was in a neutral environment and could display a portion of his monsterous strength. Coupled with his Abyssal Qi he was easily able to absorb the phantom tentacles and overwhelm the rift, closing it in seconds.

The fight was short and swift. The creature from overhead had only sent a probing attack and couldn’t display it’s true form away from it’s environment of the void.

There was a screech heard from far overhead. Rupert disappeared back into the ring and the vessel dove down at greater speeds, falling faster than terminal velocity.

The whole way down Ben felt something staring at him from above. The feeling was familiar, the three eyed creature gave him the same sensation as it watched him through the fire rift. A creatures dozens of time stronger was observing him with malicious intent. Thankfully he had left that upper region and was now almost to the cover of the Primeval Forest below.

‘While it may be dangerous, we need to lose that things attention. We’ll call this a tempering exercise for the students.’ He thought.

“Everyone take to the ground, we’ll be hiking for a few days. Split up into smaller groups of five with one elder each and try to make your way out of the forest. Focus on safety and concealment for this task. A certain amount of adventure is allowed, but keep it to a minimum.” Ben gave his orders.

“Lin Feng, Terra, you guys pick your groups and go with them. It will be good for your development. Make your way South out of the forest and meet at this town here.”

Ben took out a computer and brought up a map. He pointed at a small fortress town hidden deep in the Primeval Forest.

“The first group to enter that town will secure a house as our gathering point. Keep your background a secret and don't draw attention to yourselves.”

With those final words he turned and gestured for Lilith to follow him into the woods.

---

Its normal to send disciples into the wilderness to temper themselves, but not the heart of the wilderness where the Beast Kings reign. It's normal to send disciples on dangerous journeys, but not thousands of miles through some of the most dangerous territory this continent had to offer.

But these were not normal disciples under an ordinary master.

---

The outer disciples were uncomfortable around Terra. She was superior to them in everything but age and social ability. She should have taken the lead and commanded the other six people, but she stayed in the background with the songbird on her shoulder.

She was mute, after all.

The group started out to the south, straight towards their destination. They passed by picturesque ponds and ignored the spirit fruit ripening there. They saw fierce beasts guarding nests of impressionable young and they walked on without trouble.

When night fell they found a place to camp and settled there. Tasks were given, no one dared to ask Terra to gather wood or fetch water. The group fell into a comfortable evening of low chatter around the fire.

“He did say we could leave.” One person said.

“Yea, and we already have had our bloodline awakened. We could go somewhere else and live like kings. I know that any sect would covet our abilities.” A second added.

“We owe him so much. My life now is infinitely better than when he found me. Why would I leave his side, even if he can’t remember my name?” A third disciple spoke up, disagreeing.

“Yea, why hasn’t he called us by name? Mine isn’t so bad, Linsey Keiper. It has the essence of nobility to it.”

“It sounds nice, but the same is true for me. Master should be proud to have the backing of the Shakeel group. We’ve been working the same fields for millions of years. What other family has that kind of history?”

“You’ve seen some of it now. The weapons, the artifacts, the power he wields. I don’t doubt that he could destroy every living thing on the Setting Lands, and you know that he’s the kind of person a few steps from crazy to begin with. We need to stay by his side, not only to benefit, but also to act as a stabilizing force.”

“But you don’t know how many people want him dead. Everyone who lost control of an area because of his arbitrary judgements or was lost political power wants him dead.”

“You really think they can get to him? Terra and Lin Feng could both hold back entire sects and kingdoms.” One disciple seemed to forget that Terra could hear him.

“Not just them, Shakeel, how strong are you now?

“I’ve begun Foundation Establishment. I’m already stronger than any general or minister from my old kingdom.”

“How much stronger can we get if we keep following him?”

“Where do you think he came from? One of the Islands of the sea?”

“I think I saw him…”

“I know that he was…”

“He went to…”

Terra drifted off to sleep, the wren curled up in her robe. She dreamed of peaceful summer glades and dry winter trees.

Watching her sleep were two unblinking feline eyes. They stared at her sleeping form for the whole night, undiscovered by the members of the group who kept watch.

---

Lin Feng silently guided his group through the forest. The fastest possible route was discovered thanks to Lin Feng scouting ahead with his new spiritual sense. They avoided the territory of stronger creatures, winding through the forest.

They passed by interesting ruins, inviting caves and tempting natural resources. The possibilities of wealth and power incited some envy, but it wasn’t anything that couldn't be freely asked from Ben and Lilith.

Lin Feng ordered that they leave the forest alone and hurry on their way. As a direct disciple of Ben, he had the highest seniority. Even Lilith's sister, a woman named Ernin, who liked to fight with a knife in one hand and an axe in the other, followed his order.

He clearly stated that they were to march at an even pace and avoid conflict at all costs. Don't pick fruit or hunt animals. Ignore nearby fights, don't explore suspicious clearings.

The last few fights Lin Feng had seen with Ben had shaken him to the core. Adventures were best left to someone else, at least until he learned his first offensive technique.

The group drifted through the forest, elusive as ghosts. They heard the ferocious roars of beasts and battlecries of the men who fought them. The saw cultivators chasing wounded fierce beasts and groups of experts fleeing from angry mothers who would never see their cubs again.

They let the forest ecosystem sort itself out, human invaders and all.

The second day Lin Feng was finally tempted by something too good to let slip by.

---

Ben and Lilith fled into the deepest parts of the forest. Beast Kings or no, he needed to throw off the feeling of being watched.

“Ben, can you clarify something for me?” Lilith spoke.

“Yes.” He responded.

“What plans do you have for me, my sisters and that group of youngsters? I know you favor Lin Feng and Terra, what about the others and me?”

“I’ve thought of you and your sisters as something like hired assistants. You can leave at any time, but I prefer to work with the same people as long as I can, there’s less of an adjustment period. I wish to continue working with you, but I’m going to be leaving sooner or later. You may come with me, but you can decide to stay. I need skilled people to work for me. Someone has to cook the food, attend to guests and manage the household so that I can keep to my workshop.” Ben explained.

“Will it be dangerous?” She asked.

“Most definitely. The potential for something to go wrong is enormous. I’d say that you will likely die from some exploding star or angry god within the next ten years if you follow me.” He admitted.

“That being said, the potential for greatness is also there. If you want a peaceful life, marry a farmer and run off to some forgotten village. If you want to ascend, the chances of death are high. What else would you expect from going against the heavens? Isn’t that what we cultivators do?” Ben chuckled.

The two walked in silence for a few miles. The trees grew taller and older, the light through the canopy overhead grew dimmer.

Spiders began appearing in greater numbers. Webs spanned the trees overhead, further cutting off the light. The ground rose sharply in a ridge that the two climbed.

Standing on the ridge, the two looked down into the dark forest that laid beneath them. There was no visibility, but Ben could determine the general topography of the depression beneath him with radar and other sensing instruments.

The tree canopy was thick with cobwebs and old growth. The ground sloped down into a large depression that funneled down like a antlions nest. At the bottom of the pit was a cave leading straight into the earth.

The spiders present grew in number, strength and size. There were variants of different kinds with their own patches of web. There were burning spiders, freezing spiders, spiders with metallic carapaces, spiders shrouded in darkness and spiders with faint bioluminescent glows.

Unable to match the two humans in strength, the spiders fled from them.

‘Increasing levels of Shadow Qi. This should help you hide. We can make a formation to enhance our concealment.’ Alice informed him.

‘It would be nice if we could control these spiders, their webbing will be perfect for the formation. Lets run some tests.’ Ben thought.

He stopped and sat down on the ground, eyes closed. Lilith stood not too far away, keeping a watchful guard.

‘Illusion Mist Qi coupled with replicated pheromones should work. I can also modify my aura slightly to match theirs.’

Lilith watched as mist gathered around Ben. Something about him began to feel peculiar, she couldn’t put her finger on it, but the faint sense made her feel uncomfortable.

His presence faded and wavered. A weird aura spread out. A kind of unfeeling predator would give this impression when deciding to devour unfortunate prey that had appeared before it. The spiders wavered back and forth as they watched Ben.

Out of a nearby burrow a small brown spider emerged. It stayed still for a moment, then slowly crawled over to Ben.

It climbed up his shoe and rested on his knee. He reached out and gently scooped up the creature.

‘Spider or tarantula? What are you?’ He murmured.

He looked at the eyes, pincers, spinnerets, claws and hair. It seemed that the insect was a tarantula, but had some characteristics of a spider.

“I don’t get voluntary guests too often. I see you’ve already made yourselves at home, so don’t mind me.” A chilling feminine voice said from directly above Ben.

---

Terra and her group hurried through the woods. They ignored territories, wandering through dangerous places as they traveled in a straight line. They made the best time out of all the groups because they hiked as the crow flies, in a straight line. The other groups would avoid monster dens and points of conflict.

They did this because Terra had no objection. To her this was a walk in the woods, she felt no danger from the beasts, so she ignored them.

She wasn’t scared because there was literally no danger to her from the fierce beasts. One and all they feared her. This wasn’t the fear of a stronger predator, but the natural fear of god. The divine bloodline she carried cowed them to non agression.

One beast followed them closely, staying in the shadows. It showed no aggression, only intense interest.

This group was the first to exit the dangerous region of the Primeval Forest. They hurried towards the town Ben had indicated, the predatory feline followed.

---

Lin Feng and his group were skirting a region of bamboo forest where only the one type of plant grew. The place had a different type of aura and he had come to suspect anything new or different as dangerous, and therefore it was to be avoided.

Then a wave of familiarity swept over him, and it came from the forest in front of him.

Lin Feng, almost involuntarily, reached out and touched a tree.

‘Oh? What an interesting soul you have. That constitution is also very familiar. How have you gotten this strong with all those disadvantages you have?’ A voice entered his head. It was old, very old, and vast as the forest.

The moment his soul made contact with the soul through the tree he was held fast. The foreign soul was hundreds of times stronger than Lin Feng’s own.

‘I lived through the cycle of reincarnation without having my soul purified. This used up any good karma I had and as a result I was given this unfortunate body.’ Lin Feng answered truthfully, afraid of the results of lying. ‘Then I became a disciple of my master, he gave the the cultivation resources I needed.’

‘We seem to follow a similar Dao. Let me tell you a story about beings like us. I heard a human talking about a tree he had found.

‘I was leading an army through the mountains. Hidden in one pass was a tree larger than any I had seen before. Thinking that I would cut it down and use it for some purpose, I approached the tree.

‘I wanted to cut it down and use the timber for housing for my troops, but the wood grain was crooked, making it useless material for building.

‘I tasted a leaf, thinking we could make tea from its leaves, but the taste stripped the skin off my tongue like sandpaper and tasted of bitter poison.

‘I cut off a branch and burned it, thinking that my army could use it for firewood, but it let out noxious fumes that made me choke and cough.

‘Sitting under the tree, using it for shade, I came to an understanding.

‘This tree is good for nothing, that is why it has grown so large. No one wants it for anything, so it lives a healthy, full life.

‘I resigned from the military and wandered the world, pursuing my new peaceful Dao.’

‘This is the Dao of Wood. I follow it myself by spreading out through the ground and sending up new shoots that become new parts of me. I can’t be killed through normal means because I’m so large. You would have to burn whole mountains down, and even then I have places I’ve spread through that would live on.’

‘I’ve gained great power, but at great cost. I can never leave this place or take physical action. The most I can do is act with my soul and grow like other trees. Come to my central grove and I’ll show you how to use your soul in a more productive way.’

After a short exchange of messages with Ben, Lin Feng agreed to learn from the trees.

---

Ben and Lilith slowly looked up. There in the trees above them was a massive, monstrous form.

A bulbous insectoid abdomen and thorax held up a smaller, woman’s upper body. It was a type of creature Ben had read about, a insect humanoid called Arachnae.

Arachnae were among the strongest of the spider species. They were worshiped as dark goddesses and broodmothers by the lesser spiders and tarantula.

Most insects were only able to cultivate to stronger versions of themselves. A worm was still a worm, even as a immortal worm. As they grew in power they were larger, stronger and wiser, but unable to take human form. One of the few exceptions were female spiders.

Female spiders, scorpions, mantises, dragonflies and a few other insect species could gain access to incredible transformations. One of these was the arachnae subtype.

The arachnae above Ben had a spider body the size of a small car. It had sleek black chitin covering it. Her eight legs were four meters long and her claws could be used as vicious weapons.

Her upper feminine body had near perfect proportions. Black hair hung down her back. Jade white skin contrasted with her black spider body, a pair of exposed breasts had a conspicuous lack of nipples.

“You’re a strange one.” The Arachnae said. “Why do you smell like my children?”

“Just a test. I wanted to see if I could use them to construct a concealment formation with their webs.” Ben admitted.

“Like a herd of cats. It’s better to use your own silk.” She told him.

“That’s not impossible. It would take some time to engineer and grow a set of glands and spinners, and even then it wouldn’t be as strong as this fellows silk. It would be faster to manipulate the strongest spider and have it work for me.”

“You are quite confident. Come on then, I’m the strongest spider here. How will you get me to work for you?” She began circling the pair, watching for a moment of weakness.

“Oh dear. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are a magnificent specimen. I don’t want to hurt you or force you to do anything.”

“You couldn’t force me.”

“Uhhhh, negotiations are going nowhere. How about this, I’ll improve your reproductive capability, give you a safe place to stay and throw a few corpses your way from time to time, in exchange you keep the dark corners clean and get rid of insects. How about it?” Ben offered.

The spider stopped when he mentioned reproductive ability. She was a cold killer and fully meant to eat the two humans, but she did feel for her children and her life was made much easier by her massive brood.

“What do you mean? I’ve tried many things to evolve stronger strains of my brood. It takes great fortune and resources for a single spider to evolve.”

“I don’t have a bio lab so I can’t do half of the things that would be possible, but I have a few suggestions. You’ve extended gestation, reduced litter size and enriched the eggs after they’re laid? What about parasitic and symbiotic hosts?” Ben rattled off all the conventional ways of improving the health of young.

“You’ve studied insectoid mating patterns and life cycle? You may be useful after all.” The spider began to change her mind.

“Finally, we’re getting somewhere.”

---

The outer edges of the forest had weaker beasts and resources, but more human activity.

Terra and her group ran into several awkward situations with other people. The group of youngsters with one beautiful adult female was seen as weak and needing of protection.

Many people offered their help, but all were refused. Most then left the group alone, but a few decided to follow them. Anyone that lurked nearby only lived for a few minutes.

A black shadow followed the young group. It didn’t look kindly on other people taking interest in the subject of its attention. When it killed it was fast as thought and silent as a falling feather. Dozens of would be predators, both human and beast, fell to it.

Their journey out of the forest was smooth and uneventful. Nothing barred their way that couldn't be handled with a small release of aura and nothing was tempting enough to make them delay.

Their destination looked like something halfway between a town and a fort.

The forest ended in a treeline that surrounded the town. Several hundred meters of flat ground gave the inhabitants clear line of sight for ranged attacks.

The first line of defense was a raised earthen wall with a ditch behind it. Sharpened stakes were planted into the ground, pointing outwards. Makeshift watchtowers made from tree trunks rose into the air.

There was another stretch of flat ground before the short and thick stone walls that ringed the town. A wooden palisade made the wall even taller.

The group wore simple plain black robes, a common sight among loose cultivators. A veil hid the disastrously beautiful appearance of Lilith's sister. All together they were an unremarkable group.

No questions were asked by the guards at the gate, they only looked the group over and waved them inside. Above the gate was a sign with the name of the town in bold, simple letters.

‘Bastion’

Small wood and stone huts were the most common building, there were some larger two story structures that looked like inns. The quality of the structures was poor, but their foundations were well built.

They entered a two story building that had a large metal cup hanging above the double doors. Inside was a passable drinking establishment serving all kinds of people.

Sitting at various tables were adventures, practitioners, merchants, hunters and people from every corner of society. Terra's group didn't get more than a glance when they entered.

The younger members sat down and occupied themselves with drinks. While they settled themselves in they listened in on the conversation around them.

“Golden crown python? It's a pity its nesting in the yellow valley. That was the primary place for Bubbling Grass. Prices are going to skyrocket...”

“Gui hasn’t returned yet. I’m worried that he’s not coming back. Who will take care of his daughter? She can’t protect herself yet…”

“Someone took down the Golden Sun Bear. That meadow is the perfect place for nurturing Three Leaf Lichen. We should occupy that area and grow some…”

“Horned Rabbit? I’ve heard of them.” Terra’s ears perked up and she focused on the two people who were talking.

“The guildmaster told us that they are in charge of the network. If you ever meet someone from their order, try to befriend them.” The older man said. He was wearing unfamiliar robes that belonged to some righteous sect.

“Rabbit? How is that a threatening name? Who wouldn’t hesitate to rob a rabbit?” The youth he was talking with was wearing the same robes.

“This is why master wanted you to temper yourself. You can’t plunder your way to the heavens. The Dao is a long and arduous path, there are no shortcuts.”

“Didn’t we steal from those Plumed Wolf bastards? We can steal from our enemies, elder said.”

“They attacked us first. If they act too quickly or continue after hearing of our background, we can rob them. We can even capture and enslave them. Imagine that, a mortal princess for your harem.”

“What’s a harem, Elder Brother?”

“…”

“Hey, I think that girl’s watching me. She’s about my age.”

“Ohhh, not too bad. Careful, you don’t know anything about her, she could be one of those old monsters that keep a youthful form.”

“I don’t think so, senior brother. My intuition is telling me that she’s not dangerous. I’m gonna go talk to her.”

“Good luck, I’ll be watching from over here.”

The boy stood up from his table and walked over. The group of Ben's disciples watched with something halfway between pity and mild interest. They were well aware of Terra’s exalted status. At this moment she had the strongest bloodline and greatest potential on the planet. A single whim from her could topple kingdoms and move mountains.

“Hello. I haven’t seen you around before, you must be newcomers.”

“...”

“Have you found a place to stay yet? My sect has connections in this town, we could get you a discounted rate.”

“...”

The boy’s companion covered his face in sympathetic embarrassment. At this moment Lilith’s sister took pity on the young man.

“Sorry, she’s mute. I’m looking after her, my name is Hecate. We are looking for a place to stay, but I haven’t found anything suitable yet.” She said.

“Ah, you’re in luck. My Three Falls Sect has some influence here. I’ll ask around and see if there’s anything we can do. Do you have any requirements?” The boy was happy to get closer to this group.

“Nothing around here will do. We’ll be building our own residence. Will it be a problem if we demolish some smaller structures?” She asked.

“Defeat the current owners and suppress their background. Then there shouldn't be any problem.” The boy shrugged.

“Good. Now all we need is some labor. You and your friend over there should take Terra for a walk, it would be nice for her to get out more.”

Hecate turned to Terra.

“Go have some fun. We'll be preparing a place for master.” She told Terra.

Terra nodded and the two kids walked out the door followed by the elder disciple.

Hecate watched them leave the tavern, then she stood up.

The whole tavern felt a subtle shift in atmosphere. Conversations stopped and people looked around, confused.

Had someone important entered? Was someone about to make an announcement? What's going on?

Attention was naturally drawn to Hecate, her being one of the few feminine figures there.

With slow, deliberate motions she pulled her hood down, revealing raven black of hair that draped past her shoulders. It was as dark as the night sky and as graceful as flowing water.

Her delicate hand reached up and released her veil. She pulled the muslin cloth down, revealing features that any woman would kill for.

A face like a princess. Skin as soft as new snow. Even the handful of women there were smitten instantly.

An aura as delicate as a breeze filled the tavern. A scent like summer flowers reminded every person there of an adolescent love, of passion and sacrifice, of devotion and desire.

In a flash every person in the tavern was under Hacate’s thrall. She was a Nascent Soul Devil’s Path Cultivator who followed a Dao that controlled others and stole their blood, lifeforce and Qi.

The strongest person in that tavern was two whole realms weaker, Core Formation. Only one thought ran through his head before he succumbed to her manipulations.

‘A fucking succubus? This whole town is doomed...’

---

This forest was the strangest they had seen yet. There were few insects, only the weakest birds and no other animals. There was no undergrowth, only fallen leaves and mosses.

There was a notable lack of variety with the trees. The only type of tree there was bamboo. They towered high overhead and filled space with their dense green leaves.

The path was easy and light. Nothing barred or hindered their way. The group sped through the forest, wooded foothills rose to a mountain.

The mountain was covered in towering bamboo shoots. They grew as thick as barrels. The hollow segments looked large enough to hide a body. The forest canopy was at least a hundred meters overhead.

The ground rose and the layer of dead plant material thickened. Soon they were slowed down by wading through dead branches, leaves and detritus.

‘That’s good enough. Make a small clearing by that thicker stalk over there, then sit down next to it.’ The trees told him.

Lin Feng did as told, removing a meter of plant waste, laying bare the dark soil beneath.

He sat down and leaned his back against the tree.

‘Now look beneath you. What so you see?’ The vast voice was stronger now.

Lin Feng focused his soul and turned his attention downwards. What he saw astonished him. The soil and root structure beneath him went down and down. For more than 30 meters the plant grew. It was as impressive as the thick canopy above.

‘If you were to come further up the mountain you would find it goes deeper and deeper. This is where I was born. Over the years I grow, absorb Qi and grow again. This is my cultivation.

‘I’m at the peak Heavenly Connection Realm. Just a few hundred more years and I should have my tribulation. What happens then I don’t know. I’m certain that part of me will be split away when I am to suffer my tribulation to enter a higher realm. I have never heard of a group mind like mine gaining immortality, in a way I already have it.

‘We seem to be similar. Why is that, young one?’

‘I have a special wood type body, with it I am unable to cultivate normally. Master gave me resources, awakened my bloodline, gave me my cultivation method and showed me the Dao of Soul.’

‘What is your bloodline?’

‘He called it the Race of the Unthinking Men. He didn’t tell me much, but he said I had a low capacity for awakening special bloodlines and this was the best he could do.’

‘Unthinking Men? Did he mean the Primal Ones? The First Men? The demigods of the old sagas? They were called The Unthinking Men by their enemies. Legend has it that men are descended from gods, the children of those gods weren’t as powerful as them, they were the First Men.

‘The First Men were savage. They only had two traits they were known for. They could live quietly and peacefully, not even harming the grass around them, then they go into berserking rages and attack anything nearby, even their own kin.’ The trees explained.

‘He didn’t tell me any of the history about it. He just said that I didn’t need to worry about it. It was the best he could do for an average person.’ Lin Feng communicated with the trees.

‘Average person? The bloodline of the First Men is a legend. There are very few bloodlines with greater benefits.’

‘Yea, that’s been happening a lot to me recently.’

---

“I’d like to look at your vigina, please.”

Both Lilith and Arachnae stared at Ben.

“Please, let’s be adults about this. There are things I don’t understand about your body and my understanding will benefit us both.” He explained.

“You haven’t even played me a song or danced for me, although you do smell right.” Arachnae said.

“I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing, Ben. I could have arranged for someone special to service you. You could have even looked at mine.” Lilith cut in.

“What? I know what yours looks like and how it works. Why would…” He paused.

“Oh, sexy things. I didn’t know you were so lewd, Lilith.” Ben joked.

“Please, I’ve literally fucked hundreds of people to death.” Lilith sighed.

“Really? I usually just stand there, let them finish up and eat them afterwards. We don’t have sex like you do.” Arachnae explained.

“Can I watch? For scientific purposes, of course.” Ben cut in.

“Sure dear, if you can help me better that way.” Arachnae’s lips curved upwards in a predatory grin.

“I had no idea this was the sort of thing you liked.” Lilith was still getting used to the idea.

“Love it. I already know how humans and spiders reproduce, what about a variant like her? Before you do anything, please touch yourself with this.” Ben pulled out a small square of cloth and touched it to his tongue. A number of nanites were transferred over to the cloth.

“This has an observation swarm on it. Please be delicate, the slightest aggressive Qi from you can kill them.” He advised.

“What will it do?” Arachnae asked.

“Just study you on a very close level. You can accidentally kill them. A stronger variant is in production, but time and resources prohibit me from making a large number of them.” Ben admitted.

“Alright, let’s get this show started.” Arachnae began to emit a special type of scent. Suddenly, spiders from all over began flocking to her.

---

A suitable place had been found. A whole block of buildings near the center of the town was chosen to become a small estate for Ben’s group.

The inhabitants were beguiled into service and the buildings were demolished to it’s foundation.

The stones that made up the floor and lower half of the building were surprisingly strong and well built. The upper half of the walls, dividing walls, roof and furnishings were all of very poor quality, they were torn out and burnt.

What was left was a very clean ruin. The walls and floor were made from stone that looked as clean as the day they were laid.

Groups of men from the town organized into labor teams and worked on the structure. When they returned to their homes they were sure that they had done something of worth, but they’re memories of specific event had been wiped clean.

A few more intelligent and curious people stopped by the construction site and made inquiries. They were either enthralled like the others or never seen again.

Hecate was a master of subterfuge. Let loose on a weak and unsuspecting population she was like a fish in water. She had food walking to her door, plenty of influence and free labor.

Terra was also having a good time. She was making friends with others of her age and spending time with them. She had gone from slave to favoured daughter and led a chaotic life.

Experiencing what others her age did for fun was cathartic. She would sit around and listen to others talk about matters she would have never considered important. Why wear makeup when you were going to get raped anyways? Why wear a dress when you were just going to get it ruined by your blood?

She thought about boys being cute and saw the miniscule dramas of young love. This window into normality had a great effect on her. Piece by piece her shattered emotions were put back together and her soul healed.

She made friends with a group of girls and they went shopping together, went to the park, the beauty parlor, restaurants and the few other places suitable for young people in the town of Bastion.

Little by little her life settled down and a building rose that dwarfed the surrounding town. It had exterior walls, outbuildings, separate cooking quarters, dormitory and a large central house.

The gossip around the town was all about this new property. A secretive hedgemon had moved into the area, the tides of power grew chaotic and change would soon come.

Emissaries and messengers were officially sent to the property, they were welcomed into a sitting room and left without a clear idea of what had happened. It was a blur of fine teas, honeyed words, vague promises, pretty women and uncertain details.

Some previously established powers decided to pack up and leave. Most consolidated their resources and laid low for the time being, waiting for the moment to act.

---

The forest was vast and deep. It communed with Lin Feng on a deep level. His cultivation had similarities with this plant intelligence, he was able to use this opportunity to try for a breakthrough.

Lin Feng’s cultivation, like the bamboo forest, couldn’t be compared to other humans. His soul was stronger, but his body was weaker. He had Qi, but it was mostly focused on keeping him alive, not strengthening his body or allowing him to use standard martial techniques.

That being said, the strength of his soul could be compared to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He was facing a bottleneck now that his soul had grown so strong.

‘Most humans grow their souls after their bodies.’ The tree system told him.

‘Their bodies grow and are tempered until the Nascent Soul Realm. Then they refine spiritual energy and condense their soul according to their cultivation and natural attributes, that is the birth of the Natal Soul. Our cultivation is different.

‘Solidify your soul. Shrink it down. I’ll provide pressure and help you form your Dao Seed, it is equivalent to the Natal Soul.’ The forest instructed.

The outer disciples watched Lin Feng sink into the ground. Roots closed in over his head. They settled down and began their own cultivations.

The forest was quiet and safe. Ambient Qi was plentiful. Ben was aware of the situation and condoned a long seclusion.

Several months were going to pass before anything of note would happen here.

---

“Why, exactly, did you eat him?” Ben asked.

“It strengthens the young that I birth. The period of egg development is draining, the extra blood and Qi is needed if I want my young to be strong.” Arachnae said.

“Can’t you just hunt more and leave him to cultivate further?” Ben was somewhat confused.

“The identical genes he provides are the best elixir for my young, nothing else even comes close to it. Any other nutrients I give to the eggs need to be refined first, that’s a long and dangerous process. Male spiders are weaker anyways, so the focus is on us, the females.” Arachnae told him.

“In that case, I have a solution to your problems, but I can’t help you until we return to my laboratory. The other issue would be that pesky guy who has been watching us. He saw me flee into the forest and has been watching me ever since.” Ben nervously glanced upwards.

“That’s easy. We go underground. This area is filled with tunnels that run under the forest. They are responsible for this whole continent.” Arachnae said.

“What?” Ben was honestly shocked.

“How did you think these islands were formed?” Arachnae was happy to see him so confused.

“I assumed they were volcanic or part of continental plates.” Ben guessed.

“That's mostly right, but there’s more going on underground than most humans realize. The whole world cultivates just like humans, animals, plants and even natural objects like mountains and seas. The surface world is like the surface of it’s skin.” Arachnae said.

“In this metaphor this large island is a wart or a nose?” Ben was groping in the dark.

“More like gills. There are tunnels leading down to enormous underground formations and portals that lead to the Underworld.” Arachnae explained.

“Underworld? Have you been there?” He asked.

“No, but there are insectoid abominations I’m friendly with who have. They warned me to not go too deep, otherwise you start meeting the denizens of the underworld.” Arachnae cautioned.

“Go on.”

“It may be better if I don’t tell you, but I’m the talkative type. Elementals, living rocks, ancient and forgotten races. There are some secrets I can’t tell, but you now know more about the underworld than almost any other human.” She was unwilling to share much information.

“I assume you’ll say I can’t go down there?” Ben inquired.

“Yes. You would be fighting both the world itself and anything you came across.” Arachnae warned again.

“I’ll find a way to get down there, but much later. I have enough research for now.” Ben was sure that this needed further investigation.

“You agreed to help me, I don’t want you dying before you fulfill your promise. Give me a minute to collect the brood and we’ll leave.”

---

A new estate was erected in the town of Bastion that towered over it’s neighbors. It looked out of place among the makeshift hovels, like a mansion in the slums.

The walls were two stories tall. They were part of one solid structure that ran around the whole estate. The kitchens, dormitories, store rooms and less important spaces were all inside this two story structure. A crenelated roof made the whole thing seem like a castle wall.

Nicer areas like the tea house, the private residence, the shrine and the gardens were inside the walls. These were of the highest quality for their small size.

The private residence was three stories tall with tiered decks on each level. Potted plants and hand carved paneling decorated these exterior areas.

The garden had a pond and a handful of transplanted trees. Mosses covered the shady ground.

The teahouse was the picture of tasteful elegance in a small package. A light structure, it had large doors that opened to the garden and the shrine. Great care had been taken to make the area as peaceful as possible.

The shrine was a small structure with a empty altar and short belltower. It was made as a generic religious structure with nothing in mind. Hecate would never have dared to establish a altar on a piece of land that she was preparing for Ben, he would decide just who would be worshiped there.

The whole estate was a priceless piece of art set in a rough rural setting.

The woman of the house was sitting in the main office. With no business to do, she was cultivating. The business of running the estate had gone to one of Ben’s outer disciples, a young woman with methods that were similar to Hecate’s own.

The tea house was doing good business, giving the mansion a degree of respectability among the higher classes in the town. People came there to make deals, sell or buy information, eat the finest meals, gain social status or simply to spend coin. While the money it made was less than sand to Ben’s group, it did offer a splendid cover for their true purpose.

Terra had come back home after seeing her friends. These were mostly the fringe elements and black sheep among the highest class of residence there. Her association with them happened naturally when her disability was known. They had all been out at a blacksmith shop watching the smith process some rare materials when Terra had waved goodbye and left suddenly.

She had run home and was now in the shrine waiting patiently while she stared at a section of floor. Hecate had been called for when Terra angrily pointed at the main house, where she knew Hecate was staying. Now Hecate came running to see what Terra wanted.

Hecate received no reply when she asked what was wrong, so she looked over to the corner Terra was staring at.

There was one large section of stone that was a single slab. Laborers had been unable to harm or move it in any way. Hecate herself had tried to break the stone, but she had only managed to scratch it. Everything in the town had been built around these existing foundations.

That made it all the more astonishing when the stone slab lifted from its place and a familiar arm reached through.

“Interesting city. You say it was built by the dwarves?”

Ben emerged from the dark space that had been opened to the underground.

“Definitely. They still have some places where they live deep underground. This is exactly the way they like to build, upside down. The upper levels are made of durable materials made to withstand a pitched battle and siege. All the storage rooms and workshops are underground.”

Arachnae emerged from underground, startling both Hecate and Terra.

“I like it. I’ll have to take it with me when I go.” Ben said, smiling at Terra.