Treasure Assimilation Scripture.

This is…? A cultivation method? Is that the next trial? mmh…Ah! I know this trial should be about comprehension. There is no enemy to defeat or place to go. Only this scripture.

Calum deduced the nature of this trial after thinking for a bit, but he wanted to be sure. So, he looked around, and beside the waterfall, the surroundings were filled with mist. He tried going through it, but he was repelled by an invisible force. As expected, this was it, he needed to study this scripture. He wasn't very confident as he was not allowed to study such things in the past due to his abysmal talent. Still, he had taken a vow before his father's grave. He would at least give it his best.

Calming his mind, he sat in a lotus position, his gaze fixed on the words of the scripture.

Calum started, as the words left the statue and flowed in his mind.

One begets two which begets three. Three leads to an infinite number of possibilities…

As the first words spread in his mind, he entered a state of trance. He couldn't quite comprehend what was happening, but he felt as if he was floating on an ocean of knowledge. Drops of knowledge would splash on him, before fusing with his core smoothly.

After an unknown amount of time, when the ocean was empty, he opened his eyes and noticed that he was still sitting cross-legged in front of the statue. The words on it were no longer there. Instead in his consciousness, there was now an additional knowledge. It was the Treasure Assimilation Scripture.

"Congratulation, you've passed all the trials and even fully comprehended the scripture I left here." A young man, not a day over 20, spoke joyfully.

Calum turned to meet the owner of the voice. The first thing he noticed, was his golden eyes. They were seemingly able to see through anything. The young man before him was unusually handsome, but a certain callousness could be felt from his tall figure.

"Thank you, senior-?" Calum spoke after observing him a little.

"Ah? I forgot to introduce myself. I am Reigen the Saint of the Demonic Saint sect. Strongest powerhouse at the helm of it." He had a placid demeanor, introducing himself.

"Calum Seren greet the Saint." He cupped his fist.

"The trial you just went through is called, The Nine Torment Trial. You've passed all its levels. As such you are accepted into the sect as a core disciple to be nurtured fully." The Saint explained.

A smile of gratification made its way on Calum's face.

"Also, you've unexpectedly managed to comprehend the scripture I created. I was starting to lose hope, you know?"

"So, it was the Saint scripture…" Calum muttered.

"Indeed. My masterpiece. The singular piece of work that took me millennia to complete. Sadly, I can't cultivate it myself as I am far too advanced in my cultivation. It would require me to break my foundation and start anew. We can't have that now, can we?" He smiled like the cat that caught the mouse.

"It's where you come into place. The reason I accepted disciples with no restriction on 'talent' or background this past century, was to find someone possessing enough endurance, will, and insight to cultivate this scripture. Not to mention the so-called 'talent' defined in this continent, is utter rubbish. Sadly although a few disciples passed the trial, they fell short on comprehension. You are the first to comprehend it." He explained, jubilation coloring his face.

"I see. I am glad this disciple could meet the Saint expectations." Calum finally understood a lot of things with the Saint explanations.

"Saint, I have a question." Seeing that the Saint was so forthcoming with explanation, Calum asked the question that was bothering him since he began the trial. "Is this world real or is it an illusion?"

"Hmm... Both. This place is the space inside a treasure called the Three Realms Steps. As the name indicates, there are three realms inside this treasure. Also, we are presently at the intersection of the three realms. The core if you will." The Saint answered patiently.

"The scenarios you met in each of your trials were created on purpose. For example, the war you took part in, was the one that saw the establishment of our empire, the Luo Empire. The souls of the deceased warriors were absorbed by the treasure. As for the Endless plain, the wolves and various beasts you fought were created by the souls of monstrous beasts I collected over the years. The Demonic woodlands hold real demons, not their souls. They were impetuous things that I found unpleasing to the eyes." The Saint casually spoke about huge matters as if they were nothing.

"Impressive." Calum was in awe of the Saint. More precisely of his power. What kind of domineering aura was that? Capturing demons. Calum needed that type of power to make his vow come true.

"Not at all." The saint brushed the compliment away. "I have another thing to say to you before we proceed to your lodgings. The cultivation of the Treasure Assimilation Scripture is very painful. I know you must have a strong will to have passed the trial but the pain you endured before was nothing in comparison." The saint warned seriously. Although he didn't cultivate it, he was, after all, its creator. He knew better than anyone its intricacies. It was a pain that could kill the staunchest individual.

"I am ready. I've come prepared to endure the sufferings of hell when I stepped upon this path." Calum spoke resolutely.

Appreciation shone in the Saint's eyes. Still, he wasn't optimistic about this new disciple's success chance. After all, he knew the dangerousness of the scripture. It was only his obsession that made him persist in finding a practitioner for it. It even affected his cultivation. He was in the 9th state of foundation, on the cusp of passing the 9th tribulation but he encountered an obstacle. If he didn't resolve this obsession who knows if he could ascend to immortality in this lifetime.

"As long as you know." The Saint didn't speak any further. After all, they were a Demonic sect, not an orthodox one. They took the less trodden path even if it was the most dangerous one.

"Come." The Saint grasped his shoulder and blinked them out of this space. Returning to the real-world Calum felt slightly dizzy.

"Don't worry, it'll pass." The Saint commented.

They followed the mountain's steps until they reached a series of mansions near the top of the mountain. Along the way, Calum saw magnificent manors, pavilions, and towers.

"This is the residence of core disciples. There are presently 38 core disciples." The Saint spoke when they reached their destination. They went toward one of the mansions. He gave Calum a token with mysterious inscriptions. "This is your core badge, it contains your disciple robe, 100 high-grade spirit stones, a general guide on cultivation and the sect, and a few spells of our sect."

"Gratitude." Calum received the token.

"Use your token to access the mansion." The Saint said before fading away like a dream. "Good Luck on your cultivation, if you die, I'll collect your soul in the Three Realms steps." He said trying to be encouraging.

Calum twitched while hearing that last bit.

This Saint is such an eccentric.

He thought to himself. He waved his token in front of him and the gate of the mansion opened.

This will be my home for the near future.

The picture of a tranquil courtyard in the Seren Clan compound appeared briefly in his mind before he shoved it away.

He stepped into his new place and his new life as a core disciple of the premier Demonic Sect of the Luo Empire.