Quest Maker: 386

Title: Crisis of Existence

Xunji smiles kindly at the group of 60 women in front of him. Instead of hosting them in his room, Xunji settled to gather a small percentage of his female followers with genuine promises as he let them admire their newfound youth without interruptions.

Yue Guan watches the scene unfold from the sideline with a somewhat bitter look. The Chrysanthemum Douluo is Xunji’s most fanatical follower, so seeing Xunji turn women younger for his purpose rather than changing his gender upset Yue Guan. The feminine Douluo would have eagerly accepted his God’s seed if he had the necessary ‘utilities’ to function.

The 60 women in front of Xunji were once old and accomplished Spirit Sages and Emperors. To be exact, these women rose through the ranks without any assistance, but the lack of resources and eventual aging cut their paths off preemptively, else most of them would be Spirit Douluos by now.

Reverting the ages of these women to gain their undying loyalty was as easy as breathing for Xunji despite his injuries. But he made sure to expand his Divine Domain before tampering with their bodies. Xunji did not revert their ages, but he rejuvenated other aspects of their bodies, starting from their internal organs to boosting their blood’s purity and smoothening their skins. The color of their hair also reverted slightly to their past colors slightly.

Just these th changes would be enough for these women to resume their cultivation from where they left off due to their age.

And all these actions were not born out of his spirit rings. No, the greater understanding of the Law of Blood allows him to create more spirit skills and after facing the tribulation, he understood more about the Law of Blood through the aspect of creation and life, allowing him to earn nigh fanatic loyalty from the old men and women who wish to resume their cultivation.

‘It’s a pity that the Old Patriarch of the Seven Treasured Clan passed away before learning this skill. I could have earned his clan’s true loyalty instead of base caution from fear for my strength.’

As for why he used his domain before doing something as simple as this?

Xunji did not want to inspire another tribulation. While he did not fear Tribulations, he did not want to encounter them in his injured state. But one thing is clear the Tribulation was an opportunity that allowed Xunji to walk the path of creating a better army. He previously sought talented seeds and guide them to Godhood, but now he can lead old men and women with a genuine thirst for strength. Best of all, these men and women are much closer to Godhood compared to children starting their cultivation.

But Xunji has one more concern.

This continent has an Inheritance lying idle. And he collected these 60 women for that very reason.

The women soon snap out of their excitement and kowtow in front of Xunji with eager looks. Most of these women were proud, consequently, they never found a suitable partner. But this pride is more than suppressed today. What better partner than a God?

What can’t they achieve with a God by their side?

“Please, Lord Blood God, let us bear your progeny!” One of the women gasps as others follow suit instantly.

But they forgot one thing the Continent’s sworn enemy—Beast Sage—is aware of.

There never was any Blood God.

They just made a deal with the devil.

“You all are already bearing my seed,” Qian Xunji reveals with a smile as the women freeze in shock. “I planted my essence when I rejuvenated your bodies. A seed born from carnal experiences won’t ever come close to this pure way of inception. Since you all will cultivate seriously, pregnancy must not be a reason for you to slow down. So, my progeny will grow in three months only.”

“You will need a lot of nutrition. Yue Guan will see that all of you are taken care of.”

He doesn’t stop and disappears from their view and once again appears on top of the palace before releasing a long sigh.

He never cared for sexual relationships. The one time he did have such a relationship, it was with Bibi Dong’s biological mother, and that, too, was done to earn her biological father’s interest before he could stab him in the back and rob his spirit bone.

‘I still believe a child with mine and Bibi Dong’s blood would have been very powerful. A pity.’ He closes his eyes and basks in the sunlight as he ends his domain.

As for the women?

He did not doubt their allegiances. They will carry his children, raise them, and make them battle each other like an insect’s pit to determine which is the strongest of his blood.

Why?

His blood flowing through their veins will make sure his objectives are fulfilled.

As for Yue Guan and his obsession, Xunji cared little for all of it. He wasn’t, isn’t, and never will be interested in love.

‘Three months should be enough time to prepare the Blood Lake for my recovery.’ He looks in the direction of the Sea God Island. ‘I can’t be the only one who thinks that man has become a threat to everyone after entering his mindless state. Someone will eventually lose their patience. If there can be one hidden power in the King’s Lair, then there is no reason to doubt other hidden beings don’t exist.’

---

She did not expect such results when she set the daring Sage on this path. But just as the Evil Sage could comprehend the strings of fate and cite prophecies, her original body was equal in terms of a miracle.

A prophecy resurfaces in her mind.

The calm surface of the lake trembles.

She is far from fully healed and even farther from completion. But if she is allowed to be selfish, she would rather be her own being. Every life craves evolution, not reverting to the state they once were in. She was once perfect—yet, that was a weakness. Perfection leaves no room for growth. So, she bet on the prophecy. She would advance either way.

—When the Sage arrives, he shall guide the Domain of Blood to fruition.—

The Domain of Blood exists. While Ja Sun may not have a direct hand in Xunji’s growth, his presence is undeniable. He is the cause of Redstar finally accepting his fate and having one last battle with Xunji.

—The Devil will live to be devoured by the sage, his curse shall reveal the truth of time and space.—

Keeping tabs on the Dark Devilgod Tiger for her reasons, the Lady of the Lake knew that Ja Sun consumed the tiger. His soul origin is now a spirit soul, and his curse of evil core most likely showed Ja Sun several things.

—When the divided flicker of life stirs, it shall lead Sage to one’s own subjugation.—

—And when all the Karma of the past is fulfilled, the Prince shall be completed by Sage.—

Her complete version could never understand how anyone could subjugate it. But now she does. It was never about her complete self. A perfect being simply cannot exist. The Supreme Dragon God was born to be destroyed.

As much as she would like to scoff at this notion, it’s the truth.

Why would the impartial heaven create a perfect being with no flaws?

Simple.

To create a chain of events set before the birth of said perfection. Supreme Dragon God created the first divine realm under heaven. It gave life to various laws as his offspring in the form of elemental Dragon Kings. It snatched life from several multiversal domains and created a much-needed diversity under the desolate heaven. But when it fulfilled its purpose, the Supreme Dragon God was divided.

The truth is, she can never return to her former glory.

Even if she does consume Ja Sun and Ja Yin before finding her other half, she will sublimate in the Supreme Dragon God’s will. So, she will cease to exist.

‘What a prophecy.’

The lake rumbles, and the hundreds of spirit beasts cower in fear as formless spiritual pressure knocks out the weaker beasts.

‘Whether I set Ja Sun on that path, we would have aimed at each other regardless. He would have tried to uncover my mystery out of curiosity, and I would want to devour him for the strength he has built up. The evil core in him is worth more than tens of gods. Only two beings hold such a power in this age—The Evil Sage and Beast Sage. Even the Prince has regained his comprehension after losing this quirk of his.’

The water of the lake rise before abruptly shooting to the sky akin to a giant geyser as her silver claws reach for the edges.

‘In the end, knowing all this is meaningless. I want to devour Ja Sun, he is at his weakest. This is my only chance. And his mindless body wants to consume anything on his path to recovery. I am the most prominent tonic he can ever have.’

A resplendent violet gaze glimmers through a cover of glowing silver scales as her gaze falls on the bowing Di Tian.

“My King! You shouldn’t risk your life!” Di Tian suggests loudly, only for her body to converge at a pace visible to the naked eye. A slender and curvaceous form hidden by long silver locks gently stands atop the surface of the lake that abruptly regains its calm.

“Not risk my life?” She muses with a ponderous tone before smiling light-heartedly. “I don’t expect to die, so what risk can there be?”

“My King, Ja Sun has become a calamity. Whatever you plan… shouldn’t hinge on his mental faculties.”

“I suppose I can die in a sense. But what life am I living? My comprehension was stripped off me. No, it was never my comprehension.” She frowns as water converges over her body before turning into a blue battledress.

“You have always been loyal, Di Tian. You were the one who proposed Ja Yin’s eventual conversion to turn her soul origin into that of a Golden Dragon for me to consume. But I don’t desire Ja Yin. For once, I desire something aside from the constant pangs of my true body’s phantom-like obsession. I do not desire perfection.”

Di Tian’s lower jaw quivers as the woman disappears with a finesse of spatial manipulation that Di Tian cannot muster as he is.

Only her voice remains.

“I desire the heart of defiance. I think I’ll learn something about myself soon enough.”

---

A yellow spirit ring appears on Bo Saixi’s hand as eight individuals surround her. Spirit energy of a rank 10 Spirit Master fluctuates from her being while her martial soul stirs.

Her original martial soul was a Sea Nymph, but it evolved into Poseidon after earning Poseidon’s blessing as his priestess. Now?

It has shifted.

Her Law of Dignity and physical appearance is not affected despite her weakened state, which speaks more about the skills of the cause of this madness than herself.

Her mutated martial soul emerges behind her.

Adopting a startling resemblance to a three-eyed youth, the martial soul depicts a humanoid ‘beast’ with trimmed silver fur around his limbs and back, leaving his chest exposed. The martial soul did not possess the same trinkets as Ja Sun, but the sight of the martial soul caused the seven guardians of the Island and Xiao Bai to scowl.

Bo Saixi exhales heavily before activating the said martial soul—Beast Sage—she named it such.

Her long platinum-blue hair turns into a carpet of mane before filling out and spreading beyond her frame. Her equally blue eyes shift to a subtle cyan glow, and her slender frame fills with the slightest bit of muscle. Her limbs are covered by similarly trimmed fur.

“So, I have my spirit rings and spirit bones like before, but I need to cultivate them to reclaim their use. It’s similar to how a spirit beast cultivates after becoming a human, with six spirit rings living within them.”

Xiao Bai crosses her arm.

“Still, I don’t think it’s a safe decision to assume you’ll be safe.”

“What choice do I have?” Bo Saixi counters.

“Priestess,” One of the seven guardians musters, “We suggest letting other powers deal with that monster. Civilians may believe Lord Poseidon caused such destruction and that he is the savior, but with him in this mindless state, you can easily overturn such notions in time. As for your cultivation… we can hide it fairly effortlessly. And with the island’s resources, you will be able to reach Rank 70 or 80 in no time.”

Bo Saixi purses her lips and lets out a nasal sigh.

Her guardians still did not know that their prayers would never reach Poseidon. She even tried to communicate with him through his divine weapon, well, former divine weapon.

But nothing.

“Our Island was indeed caught between the actions of two powerhouses, but that’s a fate we all accept. We were powerless.”

Looking at the icy dome, she whispers, “We still are.”

“But I will not take chances on the sensibility of one unstable being devouring the sea as we speak.”

“He is still stronger than all of us combined. And, what will happen if Qian Daoliu’s son decides to target you again as he tried before just to spite our new ‘patron’?” Xiao Bai retorts.

Bo Saixi looks at everyone.

“All of you feel the same?”

They nod in reply.

“If I die, take care of the island,” She hums. “As you said, he will remain more powerful than all of us combined whether I have my cultivation or not. And look at me. Do you think I’ll be able to harm him with a martial soul mutated by him? While he claims to have freed me off my shackles, who can say for sure if that’s the case?”

Pressing further, Bo Saixi admits, “And there must be a reason why our Island is still kept safe. He hasn’t even devoured the underground region of the island that is keeping your tribe safe.”

She looks at Xiao Bai, who huffs in response.

Still seeing the resistance in their gazes, Bo Saixi closes her eyes for a moment.

“Please try to empathize with my objective. My dignity as the Priestess is tarnished. I was raised with the sole purpose of this role. The reason for my existence… simply ceased to exist. The Inheritance was destroyed. The island assumes another being as their savior. And the last blessing of Poseidon within me was stripped and replaced with something else. Even if I regain my cultivation, I will remain a husk… Until I…”

“Until you, what?” Xiao Bai sighs.

“I do not know. I am lost.” Bo Saixi’s quiet voice makes others lower their heads. All of them never hinged their lives on such delicate notions. Even if some of them faced an existential crisis, they could weather it due to Bo Saixi’s assistance. But the woman has lived a long life as a human being and now finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere.

She gave everything up for her role as priestess, but now she has nothing left. Not even the same role.

Her actions are guided by the mere ridiculousness of the remaining voice in her head as she recalls the last conversation with the victorious entity in her space.

---

“What am I to do now?” She questions calmly. She bore no hatred toward the being. Hatred is a meaningless emotion that brings nothing of value in life. There are only actions and consequences.

Instead of two doppelgangers, only one individual with the same face sat in front of her.

“What do you want to do?” the foreign being questions back with a smile.

“That’s what I asked you.”

“You really must be leading a dry life if that’s your first question after having all the possibilities opened up for you.”

“And you think I would believe you did all this out of the kindness of your heart?” Bo Saixi frowns.

“Of course, not. I’m a rabid animal who will do anything to get even despite becoming irrational at some point. I do not stop. I merely set you free because I would never let any soul die for Poseidon’s Inheritance.”

“And?”

“And you’re free.”

“Free to do what?”

“Everything.”

“What if I seek vengeance?”

“Have at it. I’ll prepare a cup of tea for you. Besides, if you seek vengeance, now is the best time. I sense my original body is weaker than ever. Once I leave, I’ll be as mindless as the rest of me.” The being chuckles and stands up.

As it turns around, the entity adds.

“If you have nothing to do, pray for me instead.”

“Why would I ever do that?” Bo Saixi snarls softly.

As the being turns around, it is no longer her body double but a youth with a mischievous expression.

“Why not? Do you have someone better to pray for? What have you lost aside from one target? The Island is safe. Your people are safe. You are safe. And heh, Poseidon couldn’t stop my entrance into the island with a Divine Weapon present.”

“A Divine Weapon you harmed by destroying its core.”

“Good times.” He chuckles as Bo Saixi seethes.

“Why would you do something like this?!”

He sighs softly.

“It basically boils down to vindictive personalities. As for you… yeah, I’d want you praying to me.”

Bo Saixi stares at him silently.

“Or I might aim to harm you. As you admitted, you’re at your weakest for some reason.”

“I was exaggerating. I ain’t that weak. Besides, I’M weak. Not the stuff I’m growing into. Alright, see you around, my Priestess. I’m thrilled to see how you’ll look in my martial spirit.”

---

The memory only makes Bo Saixi more miffed. If she thinks rationally, she has two paths ahead of her: Becoming another’s Priestess or Rejecting the role and working against him.

After all, she has nothing else to do. No personal ambition whatsoever.

Compared to the other two Limit Douluos of her time—Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen— she lacks a certain expectation for life.

Qian Daoliu has his hobbies and passion knowing full well what his destiny should have been. Meanwhile, Tang Chen was the only one with the hope of walking the Divine Path before being corrupted by Rakshasa’s essence and eventually losing his life on the day of Ja Sun’s wedding.

But what does she have as a human being?

Bo Saixi looks at the seven guardians and the 100000-year-old beast.

“I may be lost, but I hope to find something out there. I’ve lived a long and fruitful life. Even if I die the very next second—”

Her dignified declaration is cut short as every living being on the island shudders for some reason.

Even Bo Saixi cannot locate the source of their troubles, but the other eight are not that powerless.

They quickly stare in the direction of the silver-haired peerless woman standing with a spear in her hand.

Who says only one woman can suffer from an existential crisis at a time?

Many suffer from this condition in this world.

But the problem is…

Ja Sun attracted the worst of them at the worst possible time.

***

Alternate Title: Gigga-Xunji W; Cutting Maternity Leaves in the Cultivation Era; Three-month Children; Xunji Aiming For the Refurbished Grannies; Sussy Yue Guan; Ah Yes, Sexual Assaults for Traitorous Brotherly Bonds is Xunji’s Real Boner; Still Thinking of Bibi Dong; Gooey Calamity; The Perfection That Never Was; Desiring More; Past and Present Plans; The 69th Prophecy is Damn Good; Furry Saixi; New Muscle Priestess; Ja Sun’s Wrap on the Priestess; Pray to Me; A Rabit God; When Existential Crisis Intersects with Physical Existential Recovery